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
10 snips
Jan 29, 2026 • 1h 40min
CNLP 782 | The Problem of Mini-Celebrity Pastors: Les McKeown on Growth Barriers for Church Leaders
Les McKeown, founder and CEO of Predictable Success and author on organizational growth, tackles the rise of mini-celebrity pastors and how founder-centric leadership limits church scaling. He explores lifecycle stages, the whitewater complexity point, why leaders must move from doing to team-building, and practical steps to disentangle personal brand from organizational health.
63 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 1h 33min
CNLP 781 | John Mark Comer Goes to the Desert, Clarifies Where He Stands, and Deep Dives on a Major Challenge for Modern Discipleship
John Mark Comer, author and teacher known for Practicing the Way, recounts a 21-day silent desert retreat and what deep solitude taught him. He tackles how noise and distraction undermine discipleship. He clarifies his theological stance, reflects on pastoral transitions, and explores why quieter, historical practices are drawing people back to faith.
55 snips
Jan 20, 2026 • 1h 52min
CNLP 780 | Are You Clear Enough to Reach The Next Generation? The New Rules of Cultural Influence with YouTuber Ruslan KD
Ruslan KD, a YouTuber and former pastor, shares insights on connecting with the next generation through digital content. He emphasizes the need for clarity from church leaders on cultural issues, warning that ambiguity can lead to misunderstandings. Ruslan discusses the importance of engaging with contemporary events and the role of YouTube in ministry. He also explores how young men are increasingly drawn back to church, seeking purpose and guidance. Additionally, he provides practical tips for combating distractions and promoting healthy masculinity.
29 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 1h 33min
CNLP 779 | Preaching at A Rave: Luke LeFevre + Daniel McLeod on Gen Z's Bold Faith and How to Use Gen Z's Gifts at Your Church
Join younger-generation pastor Luke LeFevre, known for unconventional outreach like preaching at raves, and Daniel McLeod, founder of Jesus Mission, as they explore the boldness of Gen Z's faith. They discuss a surge in church attendance fueled by Gen Z's hunger for authenticity and direct messaging. The duo shares insights on empowering young leaders, addressing mental health crises, and the appeal of ancient traditions in a modern context. Discover how churches can engage this dynamic generation with real responsibility and support.
118 snips
Jan 13, 2026 • 1h 31min
CNLP 778 | Tapping the Brakes on The Talk of Revival: David Kinnaman Nuances What's Happening with Christianity in America + Digital Discipleship
In this engaging discussion, David Kinnaman, CEO of the Barna Group, dives deep into the state of Christianity in America. He reveals that while overall church attendance is declining, Gen Z men are surprisingly returning to faith. They explore changing attendance patterns, including a rise in young adults and a decline in women's volunteering. David emphasizes the importance of churches as learning communities and advocates for innovative digital outreach, while also warning of the challenges technology poses to genuine relationships.
77 snips
Jan 6, 2026 • 31min
CNLP 777 | 2026 Disruptive Church Trends: Gen Z Leading Church Attendance Surge, Women Exiting Faith, + The Impact of Discipleship By Algorithm
Discover the seven disruptive church trends shaping the future. Gen Z is leading a resurgence in church attendance, while women are increasingly leaving the faith. Bold new evangelism tactics, including social media and campus movements, are emerging. Intriguingly, algorithm-driven discipleship is creating polarization and complicating pastoral leadership. With aging pastors facing recruitment challenges, the church must also prepare for AI's looming impact on society. Buckle up for an insightful exploration of faith in a rapidly changing world!
66 snips
Dec 30, 2025 • 1h 23min
CNLP 776 | Small Church Dysfunction: David Ashcraft Talks about Growth at LCBC, Succession and Growing the Global Leadership Summit
David Ashcraft, a longtime senior pastor who transformed LCBC into a multi-site congregation of 22,000, chats about the challenges of small church dysfunction. He shares insights on scaling a congregation, including adopting a multi-site model and the importance of a clear vision. David also discusses succession planning for leadership transitions, emphasizing transparency and emotional preparation. As he takes on leadership with the Global Leadership Network, he reflects on the value of live events and the importance of authenticity in fundraising.
59 snips
Dec 23, 2025 • 1h 4min
CNLP 775 | When Church Members Break Your Heart and Your Trust: Sharon Hodde Miller on Resilience and Speaking Into the Culture
Sharon Hodde Miller, lead pastor and author on resilience, shares her journey in ministry, grappling with idealism crushed by relational wounds and turnover. She discusses how consumerism impacts church relationships and the importance of clarifying values post-pandemic. Sharon emphasizes setting healthy boundaries for pastors, adjusting expectations after disappointment, and the necessity of personal forgiveness practices. She advocates for humility in online engagement, protecting the dignity of every individual, while encouraging young leaders to balance capacity and tenacity.
99 snips
Dec 18, 2025 • 1h 4min
CNLP 774 | You're Not Ready for Revival: Dom Ruso on a New Kind of Secularism and Reaching UnReachable People
Dom Russo, a pastoral leader and church planter from Montreal, dives into the challenges of ministry in one of North America's most secular cities. He discusses the evolving nature of secularism and its impact on Christian meaning, highlighting a cultural shift where religious language has become profane. Russo emphasizes the need for a more relational approach to preaching and warns that revival requires well-prepared leaders. He also explores unconventional evangelism, urging deeper theological engagement to meet the spiritual curiosity of modern audiences.
94 snips
Dec 16, 2025 • 1h 20min
CNLP 773 | How To Hijack the Brain of Your Audience: J.R. Briggs on Why the Best Leaders Are the Best Question Askers
J.R. Briggs, founder of Kairos Partnerships and author of The Art of Asking Better Questions, dives into the critical role of questions in leadership and relationships. He highlights how the right inquiries can captivate audiences and foster deeper connections. J.R. discusses the decline of conversational skills in the digital age and how fatigue impacts leaders' willingness to engage thoughtfully. With insights on how Jesus used questions to provoke transformation, he emphasizes that asking better questions is essential in both personal and professional realms.
