

The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast
Art of Leadership Network
The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast is a podcast all about leadership, change and personal growth. The goal? To help you lead like never before—in your church or in your business.
Carey interviews top business and church leaders like Seth Godin, Adam Grant, Nancy Duarte, Simon Sinek, Cal Newport, Patrick Lencioni, Tim Keller, Annie F. Downs, Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel, Rob Pelinka, Michael Hyatt, Christine Caine, John Mark Comer, Henry Cloud, Gordon MacDonald, Francis Chan, Lysa TerKeurst, Ian Morgan Cron and many more.
For insightful posts on leadership, change and personal growth, episode transcripts and podcast show notes, go to https://careynieuwhof.com/.
Carey interviews top business and church leaders like Seth Godin, Adam Grant, Nancy Duarte, Simon Sinek, Cal Newport, Patrick Lencioni, Tim Keller, Annie F. Downs, Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel, Rob Pelinka, Michael Hyatt, Christine Caine, John Mark Comer, Henry Cloud, Gordon MacDonald, Francis Chan, Lysa TerKeurst, Ian Morgan Cron and many more.
For insightful posts on leadership, change and personal growth, episode transcripts and podcast show notes, go to https://careynieuwhof.com/.
Episodes
Mentioned books

7 snips
Sep 4, 2025 • 49min
CNLP 752 | How Do You Fire Staff That Are Like Family? Jon Gordon on Making the Tough Calls on Staffing and Creating Great Teams
Jon Gordon, bestselling author and speaker, dives into the challenging terrain of leadership and staffing decisions, particularly when those involved feel like family. He shares personal anecdotes about the emotional complexities of firing staff and emphasizes the importance of commitment over talent in high-performing teams. With insights from his latest book, he discusses building strong connections, fostering open communication, and the necessity of difficult conversations in leadership, ultimately advocating for a people-first approach in team dynamics.

20 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 1h 11min
CNLP 751 | The 6 Surprising Traits of Sticky Sermons And Why Focusing On The Problem is the Wrong Approach—With Dan Heath
Dan Heath, a renowned author known for his impactful books like Made to Stick, discusses crafting unforgettable sermons. He reveals six surprising traits that make messages memorable, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and emotional connection. Heath challenges leaders to shift their focus from problem-solving to celebrating successes, sharing insights from Chick-fil-A on creating peak experiences. The conversation is filled with strategies for enhancing engagement and fostering a more positive leadership environment.

97 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 1h 14min
CNLP 750 | Inside Tim Keller's Mind: Matt Smethurst on Keller's Preaching, DNA, and Rule of Life
Matt Smethurst, the lead pastor of River City Baptist Church and co-host of the Everyday Pastor podcast, dives deep into the influential mind of Tim Keller. He unpacks Keller's unique preaching style and the foundational elements of his pastoral care. Their discussion touches on the vital role of friendship in ministry, the challenges of preaching amidst modern individualism, and the importance of grace and scripture in fostering spiritual transformation. This exploration reveals the heart of Keller’s enduring impact on faith communities.

49 snips
Aug 21, 2025 • 1h 9min
CNLP 749 | Revival Series Pt. 5 | Why God is Moving So Powerfully Now: JP Pokluda on Gen Z and Gen Alpha Revival and How to Share the Gospel with Your Uber Driver
JP Pokluda, lead pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church, shares insights on the powerful movement of God among Gen Z and Gen Alpha. He highlights the unique openness of younger generations to faith discussions and offers practical strategies for personal evangelism in everyday encounters. Pokluda also discusses the significance of recent biblical events and their implications for modern faith. He emphasizes the revival among college students and the need for churches to adapt to today's challenges while nurturing community ties.

51 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 19min
CNLP 748 | Revival Series Pt. 4 | Gen Z Men Converting—UK Church Revival Lessons for America: Nicky Gumbel, Al Gordon and Stephen Foster on Reversing Generations of Church Decline
Nicky Gumbel, the pioneer of Alpha, joins Al Gordon, head of a thriving East London church, and Stephen Foster, who leads a historic church in Oxford. They discuss the remarkable rise of Gen Z men embracing Christianity in the UK. Personal stories reveal a genuine shift towards faith, moving away from mere nominalism. The trio stresses the significance of humility and unity in church leadership, and share insights on how America can learn from these revival lessons in fostering community support and genuine spiritual connections.

92 snips
Aug 12, 2025 • 1h 45min
CNLP 747 | Revival Series Pt. 3 | Revival Broke Out at Saddleback: Andy Wood and Luke LeFevre on How Far the Church In America Has Fallen and the Way Back
Andy Wood, Lead Pastor of Saddleback Church, and Gen Z preacher Luke LeFevre dive into an inspiring revival that ignited at Saddleback. They share insights from a prophetic message about the movement's spiritual atmosphere, emphasizing genuine hunger for God among attendees. The discussion highlights the balance between structured church leadership and the spontaneity of the Holy Spirit's work, exploring how contemporary leaders can adapt to foster deeper connections within their communities. They also reflect on the importance of prayer and the urgency for revival in American churches.

54 snips
Aug 7, 2025 • 1h 15min
CNLP 746 | Revival Series Pt. 2 | Preparing and Preaching For Revival: Jon Tyson on the History, Dynamics and Prep You Need to Be Ready for Revival
Join Jon Tyson, a passionate pastor and author from NYC, as he dives into the rich history of revival. He shares captivating stories of spiritual awakenings, particularly in New York and the Hebrides. Tyson emphasizes the importance of personal and organizational preparation for revival and discusses the transformative power of prayer in preaching. He highlights the resurgence of spiritual interest among young men and offers insights on fostering authentic encounters with God. It's an inspiring conversation that beckons leaders to embrace the divine presence.

48 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 30min
CNLP 745 | Revival Series Pt. 1 | Inside the Asbury Outpouring: Zach Meerkreebs on the Sermon that Sparked Revival, Miracles, and Gen Z's Spiritual Awakening
Zach Meerkreebs, a preacher known for igniting the Asbury Outpouring with his sermon in February 2023, discusses the unexpected power of his message. He delves into Gen Z's spiritual awakening, emphasizing humility and confession as key components of revival. Meerkreebs shares insights on fostering genuine community and the importance of authenticity in faith. He reflects on the emotional journey of leadership during the 16-day revival and highlights how young people are stepping up as future church leaders amid their spiritual growth.

139 snips
Jul 29, 2025 • 1h 49min
CNLP 744 | This One Thing Separates Ministry Survivors from Ministry Casualties: Ray Johnston's Secret to Lasting Decades In Ministry
Ray Johnston, senior pastor of Bayside Church in Sacramento, shares insights from his 20-year journey in ministry. He discusses the importance of resilience and encouragement, the dangers of cynicism, and the necessity of humility in leadership. Johnston emphasizes the value of community support, especially for leaders facing isolation, and reflects on the transformative power of hope. He highlights the crucial role of nurturing young talent while balancing personal and professional growth, providing inspiring perspectives for anyone in the ministry.

44 snips
Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 9min
CNLP 743 | Stuck Under a Bad Boss? Bree Groff on How to Thrive, Lead Up, and Transform Your Job
Bree Groff, a workplace culture expert and author of 'Today Was Fun,' shares invaluable insights on navigating difficult bosses and enhancing job satisfaction. She emphasizes finding joy in work, especially in non-profit settings, and advocates for a culture of open communication. Bree also discusses leadership strategies that prioritize employee well-being and the importance of vulnerability within teams. Finally, she addresses the impact of AI on job security, encouraging a human-centered approach to work that values meaningful connections.