#477: Ryan Miller — What If Your Ambition Is Getting in God's Way?

Oct 21

What happens when the thing you're working so hard to build becomes the very thing God is asking you to surrender?

In this episode of the Follow 2 Lead Podcast, Tony Miltenberger sits down with author, speaker, and coach Ryan Miller for a conversation about ambition, identity, surrender, and the surprising power of meekness in Christian leadership.

Ryan knows what it's like to chase a big vision. In his twenties, he was on the verge of a major Hollywood deal for a multimillion-dollar film project. Then, at the height of its momentum, he made the difficult decision to walk away. What followed were years of financial uncertainty, failed ventures, and a painful confrontation with an identity built around achievement.

But in that wilderness season, Ryan began discovering something that would change the way he understood leadership: meekness isn't weakness. It's strength surrendered to God.

Drawing from his new book, Meek as a Mustang, Ryan shares how the process of taming wild horses became a powerful picture of discipleship, trust, and the freedom that comes from letting God lead. Tony and Ryan also explore the importance of spiritual rhythms, discerning whose voices to trust, protecting your priorities, and recognizing when even good ambitions have become distractions.

In this episode, you'll discover:

Why ambition and achievement can quietly become the foundation of your identity.
How to recognize when you're pursuing your own success instead of God's direction.
What walking away from a major opportunity taught Ryan about surrender.
Why meekness is a leadership virtue, not a personality type or a sign of weakness.
How seasons of failure and uncertainty can reshape your understanding of success.
Why spiritual disciplines should deepen your relationship with God rather than become another performance metric.
How to discern which mentors and voices deserve influence in your life.
Why healthy boundaries are essential to leading and loving others well.
What it means to develop leaders who seek God's presence more than personal recognition.

Coaching Question

Where might your ambition be getting in the way of your obedience—and what would it look like to surrender that area of your leadership to God?

Connect with Ryan Miller

Ryan Miller is an author, speaker, and coach passionate about sharing stories that point people toward Jesus. His book, Meek as a Mustang, explores how surrender, trust, and meekness can transform the way we live and lead.

Website: https://jesuspeoplemovement.org/

Instagram: @ryan_miller

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