The Unfair Advantage

Nobody warns you about the weight of the lead seat. Daniel Goulding learned that the hard way, about six months into planting Echoes Church in Mesa, Arizona. In this conversation, Daniel walks through what the first 20 months of planting actually taught him: how to decide whose criticism deserves your attention, why you'll never stop being the chief fundraiser, and what he wishes he'd made clearer about vision from day one. He also gets practical about preaching every week from the lead seat, including how he plans months ahead and why he never starts a sermon from a blank page. If you're a planter who feels like you're drinking from a fire hose, or a second-chair leader wondering what the lead seat really costs, this one is for you. Welcome to Episode 056 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

On this episode of The Unfair Advantage, host David Hibiske sits down with Jon Dupin for an open, reflective conversation on nearly 28 years of ministry, leadership transitions, and what it truly takes to build a lasting church. Jon shares the story of Waymaker Church’s humble beginnings, starting as an accidental revitalization with just six people, and traces the journey through periods of rapid growth, model shifts, and painful defining moments. Together, David and Jon discuss the reality of early-stage "copy and paste" leadership, the power of prayer and fasting during organizational crises, and how leaders can discern when a season is drawing to a close. Whether you are launching a new work, navigating mid-stage growth barriers, or preparing for long-term succession, this episode offers practical wisdom on staying faithful, avoiding leadership burnout, and discovering your God-given identity in the midst of ministry challenges. Welcome to Episode 055 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

Mark Lee planted Vantage Point Church in Eastvale, California in the middle of the 2008 recession with no money, no building (their only option was a junior high cafetorium), and a lot of doubt. Nearly two decades later, he joins David Hibiske to talk candidly about what it actually takes to survive the long haul of church planting. Mark unpacks the generosity that helped launch his church, the identity crisis he hit around year five, the "Dream, Do, Doldrums" framework that got him through burnout, and why he believes church planters don't quit because they run out of money. They quit because they get crushed under the weight of their own disappointment. This episode is a grounded, honest look at perseverance, reframing pain, and staying faithful to a calling that rarely looks like it does on Instagram.  Welcome to Episode 054 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

What do you do when the system that got you here is the very thing preventing you from getting there? In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, host David Hibiske sits down with veteran church planter, author, and college president Pastor Wayne Cordeiro for an incredibly candid look at the lifecycle of a growing church. Wayne pulls from decades of experience planting New Hope Oahu and leading global ministries to unpack the hidden traps of early-stage ministry. Together, they explore the critical shift from organic momentum to structured scalability, how to correctly assess the specific "pain levels" in your organization, and why a leader's refusal to transition from doing ministry to developing people will eventually bottleneck everything. If you are a church planter trying to figure out if your current organizational friction is a spiritual battle or just a bad structure, this episode delivers a blueprint for building a sustainable foundation. Welcome to Episode 053 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, David Hibiske sits down with Generis consultant Julie Bullock to discuss how church planters can build a healthy culture of generosity from day one. Drawing from nearly two decades of experience serving churches, Julie shares practical wisdom on helping people view giving as a priority, a privilege, and a purpose-driven act of worship. Together, they unpack common misconceptions about money in the church, offer guidance on teaching biblical stewardship, discuss effective offering moments, and explore how pastors can confidently lead generosity conversations without apology or fear. Whether you're preparing to launch a church or leading a growing congregation, this episode provides actionable insights for cultivating a thriving culture of generosity. Welcome to Episode 052 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, David Hibiske sits down with Jay Kranda to unpack how church planters can think strategically about technology, digital ministry, and building an effective church tech stack. Drawing from over a decade leading online ministry and innovation at Saddleback Church, Jay shares practical insight on choosing the right church management systems, giving platforms, digital tools, and AI workflows without getting distracted by every new trend. The conversation explores how technology can amplify ministry, why church leaders should think long-term when selecting platforms, and how to avoid costly mistakes as churches grow. Whether you’re planting a church or leading an established congregation, this episode offers grounded, practical wisdom for using technology to support discipleship, growth, and organizational health. Welcome to Episode 051 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

In this episode, David Hibiske sits down with Dave Ferguson to explore the heart behind multiplication and movement leadership. Dave shares insights from his journey planting Community Christian Church, transitioning leadership to an apprentice, and helping catalyze church planting movements through Exponential. Drawing from themes in his book Multiply, the conversation challenges leaders to invest deeply in others, prioritize multiplication, and remain focused on reaching communities with the message of Jesus. This episode offers practical encouragement for church planters seeking to go further, faster in their calling. Welcome to Episode 50 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, David Hibiske sits down with Brad Lomenick for a wide-ranging conversation on calling, assignment, generational leadership trends, and the competitive edge church planters already possess. Brad unpacks the critical difference between calling (the directional current of your life) and assignment (the season you’re stewarding right now), challenges leaders to build multi-generational teams, and offers practical insight on navigating today’s “short-term free agent” workforce mindset. Welcome to Episode 49 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, John Mark Redwine shares an honest, decade-long look at the realities of church planting—marked by calling, perseverance, heartbreak, and healing. From planting in the spiritually resistant city of Asheville to navigating postpartum depression, family illness, leadership conflict, COVID, and even a devastating hurricane, John Mark reflects on what it takes to stay faithful when quitting feels easier. Through personal stories, spiritual practices, and hard-earned wisdom, he offers hope-filled encouragement for leaders who feel weary, reminding them that calling, healing, and sustainable rhythms are essential for longevity in ministry. Welcome to Episode 048 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, David Hibiske sits down with Chris Goulard to tackle a topic many pastors and church planters quietly struggle with: personal finances. Drawing from decades of experience in both Wall Street and church ministry, Chris shares why financial stewardship is not just a practical necessity but a pastoral responsibility. Together, they explore the unique financial realities pastors face, from housing allowance and Social Security decisions to retirement planning and budgeting, while emphasizing the importance of theological clarity, discipline, and long-term vision. This conversation offers pastors practical wisdom to care for their families well today while preparing responsibly for the future. Welcome to Episode 047 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.