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
Nov 6, 2025 • 1h 3min
CNLP 765 | The Real Difference Between Growing and Declining Churches: Thom Rainer on What Reaches The Anxious Generation
Thom Rainer, a church researcher and former CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources, dives into the contrasting behaviors of growing and declining churches. He highlights the importance of outwardly focused events for growth and how personal invitations significantly boost attendance. Rainer also discusses the challenges faced by the Anxious Generation and emphasizes the need for churches to create a welcoming atmosphere. With insights on why unchurched individuals often view churches more positively than insiders, Rainer offers a fresh perspective on outreach and engagement strategies.
19 snips
Nov 4, 2025 • 1h 18min
CNLP 764 | Why Christians Can't Trust ChatGPT: Bobby Gruenewald on Scripture and YouVersion's Rise to 1 Billion Installs
Bobby Gruenewald, the innovative founder of YouVersion, shares insights on navigating the complex relationship between AI and biblical truth. He highlights alarming examples of AI missteps, underscoring why Christians should approach these tools cautiously. Bobby also reveals how YouVersion's rapid growth to a billion installs reflects a global desire for Scripture. He discusses the strategic shifts within his organization and emphasizes the importance of maintaining scripture integrity amid the rise of AI, advocating for a balanced approach to technology and faith.
12 snips
Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 14min
CNLP 763 | When Pastoral Succession Hurts: Tim Timberlake on Leading Through Pain and Finding Momentum
Tim Timberlake, global senior pastor of Celebration Church and an insightful author, opens up about the pain of pastoral succession and personal challenges. He candidly shares lessons learned from leading through divorce, emphasizing the importance of healing and authenticity in ministry. Timberlake discusses building a diverse church with genuine relationships and highlights the struggles of leadership during crises, including navigating conflict and maintaining focus. His journey is a testament to resilience, encouraging leaders to move forward slowly while prioritizing community care.
28 snips
Oct 23, 2025 • 19min
CNLP 762 | The Church Model That's Dead: Attractional Church and 3 Shifts Every Leader Must Know
Explore why the attractional church model has lost its effectiveness and discover what’s replacing it. The discussion highlights three critical shifts that have emerged, including the rise of the digital church experience and the increasing spiritual openness among younger generations. Learn how churches can adapt to these changes by creating meaningful encounters and deepening preaching. The conversation emphasizes retaining valuable aspects of the past while meeting the evolving needs of today’s churchgoers.
52 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 1h 10min
CNLP 761 | The Hardest Assignment in Ministry: Tim Stevens on Willow Creek, Firing Well, and Finding Momentum
Tim Stevens, a veteran church leader and turnaround specialist from Willow Creek, shares his insights from four decades in ministry. He discusses the challenges of leading during crises, emphasizing the importance of trust and transparency. Tim reveals how to spot talent and the significance of cultural fit in hiring. He also highlights the fragility of momentum and the keys to recovering it. Stevens provides invaluable advice on firing with kindness and avoiding the pitfalls of conflict avoidance, all while encouraging a belief in the best intentions of others.
55 snips
Oct 14, 2025 • 1h 14min
CNLP 760 | Your Brain is Lying to You 80% of the Time: Judah Smith and Les Parrot on Why Leaders Self-Sabotage and How to Break the Cycle
Judah Smith, Lead communicator of Churchome and bestselling author, joins Dr. Les Parrott, a clinical psychologist and bestselling author, to explore the mental challenges faced by leaders. They reveal that our brains deceive us 80% of the time, leading to self-sabotage, especially in ministry. Judah shares personal experiences with ministry pressure, while Les highlights toxic thought patterns and the dangers of people-pleasing. The duo emphasizes the importance of grace over performance and offers practical insights for breaking negative cycles.
14 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 1h 5min
CNLP 759 | Preaching Through Depression — Faith Eury Cho on Mental Health, the Holy Spirit, and Gen Z
Faith Eury Cho, co-founder and co-pastor of Mosaic Covenant Church and mental health advocate, shares her journey of church planting during lockdown while battling anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit, finding strength in community, and vulnerability in preaching. Faith discusses practical mental health strategies, highlights the need for authentic encounters with God for younger generations, and encourages church leaders to prioritize mental well-being. Her core message? God is always with you, inviting you into a deeper friendship.
73 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 1h 14min
CNLP 758 | Does Simple Church Still Work? Eric Geiger on What Scales and Why Older Church Leaders Need to Die to Themselves
Eric Geiger, senior pastor of Mariners Church and bestselling author of 'Simple Church,' shares powerful insights on effective church leadership. He discusses the pitfalls of complexity and the importance of simplicity in growth. Geiger emphasizes the necessity for older leaders to set aside egos for the next generation's benefit. He highlights the value of engaging Scripture and the need for purposeful leadership development. Humor and humility shine through as he details adapting to change, the impact of COVID-19, and fostering community among young adults.
81 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 53min
CNLP 757 | The Key To Better Preaching is NOT What You Think: Megan Fate Marshman on Preaching and How to Use Your Voice and Body for More Effective Communication
Megan Fate Marshman, a dynamic teaching pastor and communicator, shares her journey from a life-changing arrest to a fulfilling preaching career. She reveals how to effectively use voice and body language to engage audiences, emphasizing the significance of authentic connections. Megan discusses common delivery mistakes and the art of making space in sermons for listeners to process. She offers empowering advice for women preachers and highlights the role men can play in supporting female communicators. It's a refreshing dive into the art of impactful preaching!
133 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 1h 20min
CNLP 756 | Preaching Secrets That Actually Work: 90 Minutes of Strategy, Theology, and the Art of Preaching with Mark Clark and Carey Nieuwhof
Mark Clark, founder of The Village Church and senior pastor at Bayside Church, joins Carey Nieuwhof to share transformative preaching tips. They dive into the art of storytelling, revealing how humor and structure can elevate a sermon. Mark discusses the importance of preparation, recognizing success through audience transformation, and crafting powerful intros with vulnerability. They also explore the ethical use of AI in sermon prep and the challenge of appealing to both churchgoers and the unchurched. Ideal insights for today’s communicators!
