Episodes

In this episode of Passing the Pulpit, I sit down with Jesse Smith, a former worship pastor turned entrepreneur, to explore what it really means to live out your calling beyond the walls of the church. From stage to startup, Jesse has discovered that ministry doesn’t end when Sunday service does—it just moves into new spaces. Together, we unpack how the marketplace has become one of the greatest mission fields of our time, and how faith-driven leaders can bring light, purpose, and compassion in...

We live in a world that moves at the speed of a swipe. Every day, Gen Z and young adults are bombarded with digital content designed to capture attention—but rarely to cultivate spiritual depth. So what does effective ministry look like in a culture driven by distraction, algorithms, and short attention spans? In this episode of Passing the Pulpit, we sit down with Next Gen Pastor Cory Kasperson to explore what it means to lead, disciple, and build authentic community in the digital age. Drawin...

In this episode of Passing the Pulpit, host Matt Redder sits down with Jason McMullen, an experienced Executive Pastor, to unpack what it really looks like to serve in one of the most pivotal — yet often misunderstood — roles in the church. Together, they discuss the unique calling of the Executive Pastor, what the journey into this kind of ministry can look like, and the balance between spiritual leadership and organizational oversight. You’ll hear practical wisdom on leading teams, partnering...

In this episode, we explore the unique joys and challenges of leading a bilingual ministry — where language, culture, and faith intersect. My guest, Josue Lopez shares his journey into ministry, the story of his vibrant bilingual congregation, and what he’s learned about building unity in diversity. Whether you’re part of a multicultural church or simply curious about how the gospel transcends language barriers, this episode will inspire and equip you to see the beauty in every tongue and tribe....

In this episode of Passing the Pulpit, we sit down with author and leadership mentor Peggy Bodde to explore how church leaders can better support women called to lead in their workplaces, homes, and communities. Drawing from her book Sacred Work, Peggy offers hard-earned wisdom and practical insight into the unique challenges women face as they balance faith, leadership, and life. Together, Matt and Peggy discuss how pastors and ministry leaders can recognize, affirm, and empower the women in t...

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had countless conversations about the Charlie Kirk memorial. But one question kept coming up in my mind: What was it really like to be there? Wouldn’t it be powerful to hear directly from someone who experienced it firsthand—someone who wasn’t just in attendance, but right on the ground floor? That’s exactly what I have for you today. I’m joined by Jesse Jackson, who not only witnessed the memorial but also spends much of his work studying, writing about, and ...

AI is shaping our world faster than most of us can keep up with—but what does it mean for the Church, for ministry, and for everyday faith? In this episode, The Intersection of Faith and AI, we sit down with Kai, a former pastor turned Senior Research Analyst at Brotherhood Mutual, who now helps organizations navigate the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence. Kai's mission is to make AI accessible to everyone. After a decade in ministry and nonprofit communications, Kai joined Broth...

Ronn Read has spent decades pastoring in diverse contexts across multiple states, faithfully leading through seasons of change and challenge. Along the way, he has gathered a wealth of hard-earned wisdom—wisdom he generously shares with us in today’s conversation. In this episode, Ronn offers stories, insights, and encouragement that will inspire both leaders and congregations alike. Now transitioning from his role as an interim pastor, Ronn is stepping into a consulting ministry to continue eq...

What happens when your calling takes you somewhere unexpected? For years, pastoral ministry was the center of life — preaching, shepherding, leading God’s people. But then comes a shift… into secular/marketplace leadership. How do you hold on to your identity when your role changes? How do you carry your sense of purpose into a new world, a new culture, a new mission field? In this episode, we’re joined again by Johnny Levy talking about faith, calling, and the surprising ways God shows up — e...

In this episode of Passing the Pulpit, we sit down with Manny Pollard, an experienced bi-vocational pastor who’s learned what it means to wear multiple hats while keeping a single focus on God’s calling. We talk about the unique challenges of balancing ministry and marketplace work, the spiritual and emotional toll it can take, and the rhythms that can help avoid burnout. If you’re an aspiring bi-vocational pastor, church leader, or simply someone navigating competing demands in your own life, ...

In this episode, we sit down with a local pastor who made a bold move — transitioning from leading a large traditional church to creating a business-on-mission model that’s been thriving for over fifteen years. He now runs a vibrant coffee house that serves the community throughout the week and transforms into a church on Sundays. We dive into his incredible journey of blessing the community, building relationships, and hosting events that bring people together. He shares practical insights on ...

Can a machine capture divine inspiration, or is that uniquely human? In this thought-provoking conversation, pastor and pioneering CEO Johnny Levy shares how artificial intelligence is reshaping creativity, identity, and the future of ministry. Together, we explore the promises and pitfalls of AI in sermon writing, leadership, and spiritual formation. From AI-generated storytelling to the irreplaceable role of the Holy Spirit, we wrestle with questions every ministry leader is facing: Where do...