In a culture that often measures success by outward achievements, many individuals find themselves asking, "Why does something still feel off?" despite reaching their goals. Josh Wintermute, a pastor, life builder, and author, addresses this dissonance in his new book, Winning the Wrong Game, released by Lucid Books. Drawing from over two decades of pastoral ministry and personal trials, Wintermute presents an honest examination of the foundations upon which lives are built.
Wintermute's premise is that many people are playing the wrong game—chasing accomplishments while neglecting the underlying structures of their lives. He identifies three foundational areas: the heart, the home, and the culture. Rather than offering superficial fixes, the book encourages readers to confront what is broken and engage in the difficult work of restoration. "After walking through some of the hardest seasons of my life, I came to realize that the problem wasn't simply my circumstances," Wintermute said. "The problem was the foundation I was building on."
The book's relevance is underscored by a societal tendency to prioritize achievement over personal well-being. Wintermute believes many people carry burdens that success alone cannot alleviate. His message is one of hope: "You are not as stuck as you think. You are not as alone as you feel. And you are going to make it." This perspective is informed by his own journey through physical, mental, financial, and spiritual challenges.
Wintermute is the founder of Quiet Winters, an organization dedicated to helping leaders, families, and organizations establish healthy foundations. His work has involved walking alongside hundreds of individuals through grief, transition, and renewal. Ironically, becoming an author was never part of his plan. "Honestly, I never wanted to write a book," he admitted. "For years people encouraged me to do it, and for years I pushed the idea away. Eventually I became open to the possibility, started writing down some thoughts, and God began opening doors."
Wintermute describes his writing journey with three words: obedience, surrender, and faith. The process was challenging, particularly in distilling his thoughts into a clear and useful message. "The biggest challenge was taking the thousands of thoughts in my head and narrowing them into something clear and useful for readers," he said. "I couldn't do it alone. I needed outside perspective, coaching, and editing to help shape the message."
Influenced by authors such as Simon Sinek, Seth Godin, and N. T. Wright, Wintermute blends practical wisdom with spiritual insight and personal vulnerability. "What sets this book apart is the honesty," he noted. "I talk openly about my failures, shortcomings, and struggles because that's where God did some of His greatest work in my life."
Beyond writing, Wintermute enjoys spending time with his wife of over twenty-five years and their three sons, fishing, golfing, and investing in coaching clients. For aspiring authors, his advice is straightforward: "You can do this. Start dreaming, surround yourself with people who know more than you do, learn from them, and begin writing."
Winning the Wrong Game is an invitation to stop patching surface-level cracks and instead rebuild from the ground up. Sometimes the breakthrough people seek is not found in doing more but in building differently. The book is available through Lucid Books.
