Pastor KW takes us behind his public persona in this remarkably vulnerable conversation about the tensions between ministry success and personal struggles. As we journey from his meteoric rise at National Action Network to becoming pastor of a struggling church in Boyle Heights, KW reveals how the expectations of church culture influenced his decision to marry young—"We were babies raising babies"—and the painful aftermath of two divorces while maintaining public leadership.
What emerges is a powerful testimony about growth and healing amid life's storms. KW speaks directly to his younger self with striking clarity: "Slow down. You don't have to get married because you have a baby on the way. Don't allow the whispers of people in the church push you to make decisions you shouldn't make." This wisdom comes from hard-earned experience navigating the unique pressures facing successful Black men in ministry and activism.
The conversation takes a transformative turn when KW discusses how his second marriage "pushed me to therapy," which became instrumental in his healing journey. His powerful declaration—"I thank God for Jesus and I thank God for my therapist"—challenges stigmas around mental health in faith communities. He distinguishes between "fake degree therapists" and trained professionals who helped him "unmask and unpack" his situations, advocating that "everybody should have a therapist."
Through candid reflections on mistakes, growth, and finding authentic strength, KW models a path toward greater transparency among leaders: "We're living in a society that's kind of fake and phony... we need to start being real with each other." His journey reminds us that behind every public success story lies a complex human experience worthy of compassion, understanding, and honest dialogue. Subscribe to hear more conversations that explore the nuance of faith and leadership in today's complex world.

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