Episodes

Pastors carry so much spiritual weight that they often forget the physical, emotional, and family weight that comes with ministry. In this special episode, my wife joins me—not only as a pastor’s spouse, but also as a nutritionist—to share wisdom on setting meaningful, sustainable goals for 2026. Together we explore the challenges of planning a new year when life feels unpredictable and why caring for your body is actually a vital part of caring for your soul. Whether you’re a pastor, a spouse, ...

In this insightful and honest conversation with Todd Lidner, we dive into the critical transition many ministry leaders face when moving from church-based roles into the marketplace. Todd — founder of Launch Point — shares his experience helping ministers identify and translate their ministry gifts into meaningful, well-paid roles in the business world in addition to practical next steps for anyone in ministry feeling stuck, undervalued, or ready for a new chapter. Whether you’re currently serv...

The holiday season is one of the most meaningful—and most demanding—times of the year for pastors and ministry leaders. Between extra services, seasonal expectations, family commitments, and the pressure to deliver “your best sermons of the year,” it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or spiritually drained. In this episode, we dive into the real struggles pastors face during Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas, and explore practical, life-giving solutions that help you preach with clarity, creativity, ...

In a world that moves too fast and constantly tells us we deserve more, genuine gratitude has become a rare and revolutionary act. In this special Thanksgiving episode, we invite you into a deeper, more counter-cultural understanding of thankfulness—one that pushes back against entitlement, resets the soul, and opens our eyes to the quiet gifts we overlook every day. Whether you're celebrating with family, navigating a heavy season, or simply trying to slow down long enough to breathe, this con...

From First Week to First Year: The Pastoral Journey dives into the real-life experiences of a brand-new pastor navigating the early days of ministry. Join us as we talk about the excitement, challenges, and lessons that come with stepping into church leadership for the very first time. From preaching your first sermon to handling pastoral care, building relationships, managing expectations, and finding healthy rhythms — this conversation offers insight for anyone in ministry or preparing to be. ...

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...