Dustin Kleinschmidt

About Dustin Kleinschmidt

Dustin Kleinschmidt is a coach, consultant, and author of The Wilderness Way. He creates honest resources and conversations for people figuring out how to live well in a complicated life.

He grew up outside the faith in a home shaped by instability and trauma, met Jesus in high school, and found himself drawn into ministry. Over the last twenty-five years he has served in nearly every pastoral role—from student ministries to worship pastor to lead pastor to church planter—giving him a rare perspective from almost every seat in the church.

He has navigated his own struggles with burnout, anxiety, depression, and pornography, while also witnessing forced resignations, pastoral affairs, and church splits firsthand. These experiences have shaped a grounded, honest voice for people who feel spiritually homeless, disappointed, or tired of pretending.

Dustin balances depth with humor that keeps heavy topics human. He's open to difficult conversations—theological or deeply personal—and speaks from lived experience, not theory. He gives language to tensions people feel but can't name, offering companionship for the journey rather than another formula to follow.