40 | When Your Calling Changes: Burnout, Identity & Finding Purpose | Eric Robinson

What happens when the work you believed God called you to do becomes the very thing you need to leave behind? After 12 years in pastoral ministry, Eric Robinson made an unexpected career change. He traded the pulpit for the FBI, where he spent nearly 25 years as a special agent. And here's the surprising part: Eric needed a career with less stress. In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura Sharp-Waites welcomes Eric for an honest conversation about pastoral burnout, unexpected life transitions, and discovering that God's calling isn't necessarily tied to a job title. Eric shares how the compassion he developed as a pastor shaped his work with victims, informants, and criminal suspects. He also reflects on the challenges of retirement, the loss of professional identity, and learning that our worth extends beyond what we do. Together, Laura and Eric explore what happens when familiar roles disappear, why even those who care for others need support, and how God's purpose can continue unfolding in unexpected places. In this conversation, you'll hear about: ☕ Why Eric left pastoral ministry for the FBI ☕ The emotional and physical toll of pastoral burnout ☕ How compassion and justice can work together ☕ Why retirement and career changes can trigger an identity crisis ☕ The importance of boundaries and trusted relationships ☕ Finding purpose when life takes an unexpected turn ☕ Why a change in assignment doesn't necessarily mean the end of your calling Whether you're navigating retirement, recovering from burnout, facing an unexpected career change, or simply wondering what God has planned for your next chapter, this conversation offers encouragement to remember that your identity is bigger than your title. A Moment at the Counter Sometimes we mistake a change in assignment for the end of our purpose. But perhaps God isn't finished with your calling. Perhaps He's simply inviting you to live it differently. You are more than the work you do, the position you hold, or the title you've carried. And wherever life takes you next, God is still walking beside you. Meet Eric Robinson Eric Robinson served as a pastor for 12 years before joining the FBI, where he spent nearly 25 years as a special agent. His experiences in ministry and law enforcement inspired his book, iReverend: From Saving Souls to Chasing Sinners in the FBI. Learn more about Eric and his book: https://preachertobreacher.com Pull Up a Chair If this conversation encouraged you, share it with someone navigating a season of change. And remember, there's always room for you at the Counter. Care for Little Ears: This episode includes discussions of criminal investigations, sexual exploitation, and child abuse. Listener discretion is advised. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. Support the show ☕ Enjoying At the Counter? Share the podcast with a friend: If an episode made you think of someone, send it their way. Leave a review: Your review helps more people discover At the Counter with the Baking Pastor and find encouragement for the season they’re walking through. Come join us at the Counter: Download the At the Counter app in your phone’s app store and connect with a welcoming community where the conversation continues between episodes. At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕