35 Excellent Church Leadership Podcasts to Follow

You may have heard that “leaders are readers,” but we’d like to add that “leaders are listeners.” So we’ve put together an amazing list of church leadership podcasts for you to check out.

If you’re interested in this article, that means you’re leading in ministry in some form or fashion. It doesn’t matter whether you have a title or if you’re in ministry full-time, bi-vocational, or volunteering. The point is that you have influence, and learning to lead better will help you in all areas of your life.

Listening to podcasts is an excellent way to grow in your leadership, and we’ve put together a list of 35 church leadership podcasts that cover various facets of leadership.

Ready to check ’em out? Let’s jump in.

Estimated reading time: 13 minutes

35 Best Church Leadership Podcasts

Podcasts are an amazing learning tool because they’re so versatile. You can listen in your car, while working out, or doing chores. This has made them an incredibly popular form of media, especially when to comes to learning.

According to Edison, there are an estimated 177 million Americans who listen to podcasts as of 2022.

If you haven’t already joined the podcast train, this is a great intro to it. If you are already an avid listener of podcasts, then you’ll love the amazing podcasts on this list.

But listen. Our list contains 35 podcasts. That’s a lot.

Don’t be overwhelmed by this list. Just read through and then start with a couple that are most appealing to you. There’s a high chance not all of these will be up your alley, and if you give one a shot and it’s not your thing, just try another one on the list.

Are you ready to explore these awesome leadership podcasts? Let’s do it.

1. The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast

Carey Nieuwhof is a Canadian pastor and author who has become one of the most influential voices in Christian leadership today. His podcast features interviews with some of the biggest names in the church world, as well as helpful insights and tips on everything from managing a church staff to dealing with difficult congregants.

2. Christian Woman Leadership Podcast

The Christian Woman Leadership podcast is led by hosts Esther Littlefield and Holly Cain. Although it’s by women and for women, the topics covered would apply to anyone and serve to encourage Christian leaders.

3. Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast

Craig Groeschel is the pastor of one of the largest churches in the United States, and he’s also a bestselling author and popular speaker. On his podcast, he interviews other church leaders and experts on various leadership topics related to church growth and personal development.

4. Catalyst Podcast

The Catalyst Podcast is for “leaders who love the church.” Over the years, Catalyst has held leadership conferences all across the United States, and this podcast features some of the best sessions from those events. This one will help you be a better leader and gives lots of practical wisdom.

5. The Unstuck Church Podcast with Tony Morgan

The Unstuck Group, led by Tony Morgan, explores the common challenges churches run into and practical steps for how to move past them. They cover strategy, staffing, and church growth, along with other topics to help you be an effective leader.

6. Vanderbloemen Leadership Podcast

The Vanderbloemen Leadership Podcast is one of many content resources produced by the Vanderbloemen Leadership group. This church staffing agency and Christian executive search firm is led by William Vanderbloemen. He combines ministry experience as a senior pastor with marketplace best practices. On the podcast, you’ll find a blend of info on church staffing, leadership, and how to build and grow great teams.

7. UnSeminary Leadership Podcast

UnSeminary is full of practical tips. Do you ever get the feeling that your ministry training didn’t prepare you for how to tackle the problems you’re encountering? This weekly podcast features interviews with leaders inside and outside the church. It’s the real life side of ministry leadership you may not have learned in seminary.

8. ChurchLeadership Podcast

Andy Frazier and Mark Gainey lead interviews with various church leaders in the ChurchLeader podcast. From church planting to covocational ministry to discipleship, they cover topics that are beneficial and applicable to churches of all sizes, including new and growing churches.

9. Rainer on Leadership

Thom Rainer is a prolific author, researcher, and former CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources. He then went on to found Church Answers, an online platform with resources for church leaders. The Rainer on Leadership podcast tackles trends in church culture, the latest research, and practical tips for churches.

10. The Emotionally Healthy Leadership podcast

Emotionally Healthy Discipleship resources are excellent to ensure you’re taking care of your internal world, namely your personal mental, emotional, and spiritual health. In 2006, Pastor Pete Scazzero published the book Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, which launched a plethora of resources on how to become self aware, emotionally healthy, and lead healthy teams and churches.

11. Radio Free Leaders

David Burkus teaches about how people work together, think up new ideas, and lead teams at Oral Roberts University. He also makes a podcast called Radio Free Leader where he talks about being a good leader, coming up with new ideas, and planning for success.

Even though his podcast doesn’t focus on church leaders like the others on this list, we still think it’s worth listening to for any leader. He mixes smart ideas from school with useful advice from smart people from all over the world in quick episodes that are only 20 to 30 minutes long.

12. Lead Culture with Jenni Catron

The 4Sight Group provides leadership coaching, culture consulting, courses, and workshops. Founder Jenni Catron leads the podcast and interviews leaders from all walks of life. The podcast covers leadership development, team culture, and other related topics.

13. 5 Leadership Questions

5 Leadership Questions is a podcast from Lifeway Christian Leadership and Lifeway Leadership. As the name implies, the podcast asks five questions to each guest for insightful conversations and practical leadership takeaways.

14. Gravity Leadership Podcast

According to their website, “Gravity Leadership was started by leaders who’ve felt the weight, fatigue, and frustrations that come from non-transformational leadership.” The podcast includes conversations on how to center your life and leadership in the love of God in Christ as you build the local church.

15. The 95 Podcast

Did you know that 95% of churches in the U.S. are under 500 in average attendance? The 95 Network is focused on the small and mid-size churches that are the backbone of the Church in America. In this podcast, you’ll hear candid conversations about the small and mid-size church context.

16. Social Media Church Podcast

Want to learn about using the internet for your church? Check out Social Media Church, a podcast where church leaders like Nils Smith and Jay Kranda talk about social media, websites, and what’s new online. Nils works at Community Bible Church, and Jay works at Saddleback Church. They’re both using technology to help spread the word of God everywhere! Tune in to their 20-40 minute episodes and get inspired to connect with your church online in new ways.

17. The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast

In this podcast, Ed Stetzer interviews church leaders and subject matter experts to help local pastors and leaders. Well-known pastors such as Max Lucado and Rick Warren have been featured on the podcast, and the goal is to help Christian leaders navigate the cultural issues of our day and thrive in ministry.

18. This Cultural Moment

Do you find it challenging to reach people in a post-Christian world? This Cultural Moment is a podcast collaboration between Mark Sayers of Red Church in Melbourne, Australia, and John Mark Comer of Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon. Listen in on their authentic conversations about timely topics and current cultural trends.

19. Christine Caine’s Equip & Empower Podcast

Christine Caine is an author, leader, and preacher. Along with her husband Nick, she founded A21, an anti-human trafficking organization. In addition, they’ve founded Propel Women, an organization that encourages women to lead and impact their world for the kingdom.

20. The Happy Hour Podcast

Jamie Ivey hosts the weekly Happy Hour podcast featuring interviews with friends, pastors, and ministry leaders. The Happy Hour covers big issues, the little things in life, and everything in between. Every Christian woman will find encouragement and inspiration here.

21. The Think Orange Podcast

Think Orange is the perfect podcast for church leaders of kids, students, or family ministries. Orange has been around for many years, creating content, providing resources, and hosting conferences. This church leadership podcast features conversations and ideas to equip leaders to minister to families and the next generation.

22. Rethinking Youth Ministry

If you want to dive deeper into youth ministry and specifics for middle and high school students, be sure to check out Rethinking Youth Ministry. It’s brought to you by the Orange Students team. The goal is to have honest conversations, interview thinkers, and raise the bar on youth ministry for church leaders.

23. Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network

If you’re in youth ministry, go to the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network for easy access to multiple shows. The collection is led by the DYM podcast, which is around 400 episodes and has been running for over a decade. Other shows include: Youth Ministry Hacks, Youth Ministry Sherpas, Youth Ministry Soul Keeper, Middle School Ministry, and more.

24. Group Answers from Lifeway Christian Ministries

Looking for a podcast to help you resource and encourage your small group ministry leaders? Group Answers is an awesome resource from Lifeway Ministries. They cover topics related to methods of discipleship, overseeing small groups in your church (or leading one yourself), and provides encouragement for group leaders.

25. Worship Ministry Training

This one is for creative leaders! The Worship Ministry Training podcast isn’t just for singers; it’s about creativity and all forms of creative arts. The ministry leaders designed this podcast to also cover technical topics, systems and routines, team culture, and spiritual growth.

26. Beyond Sunday Worship Leader Podcast

The Beyond Sunday Worship Leader podcast is brought to you by David Santistevan, who also has a website, blog, and other resources for worship leaders. This show focuses on church worship leaders and features conversations with some of the top names in worship music.

27. That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs

Annie F. Downs is all about having a good time with friends while still learning something important. In the That Sounds Fun podcast, she’s great at chatting in a relaxed and friendly way, making you laugh and think. Annie’s knack for real talk and genuine curiosity teaches us how friendships can be so powerful and enjoyable. Plus, she’s got loads of handy tips, from books to places to eat, that you won’t want to miss.

28. Stephen Brewster Creative + Leadership Podcast (Blue Collar Creative)

Stephen Brewster has a background in the music business and has worked for churches, leading creative teams and serving in executive leadership roles. Through insights and interviews, this podcast offers practical applications to maximize ministry and leadership.

29. Typology Podcast

Ian Cron made the enneagram easier to understand for lots of people with his book, The Road Back to You, in 2016. Now, he keeps the conversation going with his podcast, the Typology podcast. On the podcast, Ian chats with his friends about stories that help us understand ourselves and others better. It’s a fun and thoughtful way to learn!

30. Unseen Leadership

For younger people (or really people of all ages) who are interested in what makes a great leader, this church leadership podcast provides a unique perspective. The Unseen Leadership podcast focuses on the early days of today’s leaders. It includes stories, mistakes, and defining moments that shaped them to be the leaders they are today.

31. Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast

Proverbs 31 Ministries is a non-denominational, non-profit ministry seeking to lead women into a personal relationship with Christ. They are a well-known organization with a wide range and volume of resources. On the podcast page, you can find podcasts organized into categories and specifically dedicated to helping you grow as a leader, personal development, and other subjects.

32. You’re Not Crazy

Are you a young pastor? Or new to ministry? If so, you’ve probably asked yourself this very question: Am I crazy to be doing this? You’re not alone, and this podcast from The Gospel Coalition is specifically designed with tools, resources, and encouragement to support young pastors in their ministry journey.

33. Help Me Teach the Bible

Nancy Guthrie hosts Help Me Teach the Bible (also from The Gospel Coalition) and features a variety of guests. Episodes cover how to teach specific books of the Bible and topics, as well as general preaching and teaching advice to help you develop your own communication style.

34. The EntreLeadership Podcast

Dave Ramsey’s company, Ramsey Solutions, is behind The EntreLeadership Podcast, a fantastic resource. Hosted by Ken Coleman, it features lively talks with top business experts. In today’s gig economy, this podcast is more important than ever. It helps people lead themselves and their relationships with customers. It’s a must-listen for those wanting to excel in business!

35. REACHRIGHT Podcast

If you’re a church leader looking to expand your digital reach and maximize your online impact, then check out the weekly REACHRIGHT podcast. You’ll hear technical topics like local SEO and Google Ad Grants broken down in an easy to digest and actionable format. The podcast also features a range of topics to encourage, inspire, and equip you as a church leader.

What Church Leadership Podcasts Would You Add?

We’ve included lots of podcast options on this list, but this only scratches the surface. There are many more exceptional church leadership podcasts out there.

And remember that leadership in churches matters more than ever!

We’d love to hear about your favorites…what podcasts would you add to this list?

Are you in a specific ministry role, and you’ve found an excellent podcast applicable to your unique area? Let us know in the comments below!

More on Church Podcasts

• Your Church’s Guide To Podcasting
• 7 Sermon Podcast Hosting Solutions to Explore
• Should You Create A Church Podcast?
• Expanding Reach with Church Podcasting: A Comprehensive Guide
• 7 Church Leadership Podcasts Pastors Need To Subscribe To Today

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