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
23 snips
Nov 25, 2025 • 53min
CNLP 769 | How AI Is Damaging Your Mind and Brain: Dr. Caroline Leaf on How to Battle Stress, Burnout, and Anxiety
Dr. Caroline Leaf, a clinical neuroscientist and author known for her expertise in mind management, discusses the critical distinction between the mind and the brain. She addresses the rising burnout due to poor mind management and shares the importance of metacognition in combating stress. Leaf introduces the 63-second rule for habit formation and the NeuroCycle, a five-step formula for rethinking crises. She also warns about the dangers of AI as a cognitive crutch, advocating for mindful engagement with technology to enhance, rather than hinder, our thinking.
26 snips
Nov 20, 2025 • 26min
CNLP 768 | The Leadership Time Trap: How to Multiply Results Without Adding Hours
Explore a time-investment matrix that helps maximize results without extending your work hours. Discover how to identify and eliminate low-reward tasks cluttering your schedule. Learn techniques to focus on activities that yield significant returns with minimal effort. Gain insights into prioritizing high-impact areas like team alignment and culture. Uncover the power of strategically saying no to distractions that diminish progress. This engaging discussion offers practical steps for reallocating your time effectively!
41 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 33min
CNLP 767 | Solving the Mental Health Emergency: Shaunti Feldhahn and James Sells on a Better Approach to Pastoral Care
In this insightful discussion, Shaunti Feldhahn, a social researcher and bestselling author, teams up with Dr. James Sells, a clinical psychologist and professor, to tackle mental health in churches. They reveal the emotional burdens pastors carry and the underestimated mental health crisis congregations face. The duo introduces a lay listener model to provide effective support and explains how intentional community building can alleviate loneliness. They emphasize the crucial role of simple, compassionate presence in fostering healing within church environments.
23 snips
Nov 11, 2025 • 40min
CNLP 766 | Rising Comic Andrew Stanley on Resilience, Bombing, and Finding the Punchline
Andrew Stanley, a rising stand-up comedian and preacher's son, shares his journey from finance to comedy. He talks about the challenges of bombing on stage and how it’s essential for growth. Andrew reveals his unique methods for capturing material and adapting humor for different audiences. He also reflects on managing family life while touring, the realities of road life, and the behind-the-scenes work that often goes unnoticed. With humor and insight, he emphasizes the importance of authenticity and connection in comedy.
68 snips
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.
36 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.
13 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.
34 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.
53 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.
56 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.
