Practicing Hope Podcast

What does it look like to lead with integrity — in the pulpit and at the dinner table?

In this vulnerable and hopeful episode, Rev. Dr. Tanner Smith and Pastor Chase Rashad Stancle reflect on the real tensions of being both ministry leaders and family members. Through laughter, honest stories, and hard-earned wisdom, they explore what it means to integrate your calling with your core identity. Together, th...

What do you do when funding opportunities come with tension and tough choices?

In this episode on The Practicing Hope Podcast, Jess and Jeff dive into the real-life tension between staying true to your mission and accepting the money that helps make it happen. From generous gifts to gifts with strings attached, they explore how nonprofit leaders can navigate financial decisions without losing their integri...

What if the difficult people in your life are also your greatest teachers?

In this episode, Pastor Chase Rashad Stancle and Rev. Dr. Tanner Smith take an honest, hopeful look at what it means to lead in the midst of hard relationships. Instead of giving a formula to fix “those people,” they turn the focus inward, offering wisdom and practical tools to help leaders respond with love, boundaries, and self-aw...

What do you do when the people you lead hold competing values? Whether it’s politics, sexuality, or the color of the sanctuary carpet, leaders are often stuck in the middle. They find themselves caught between people who love Jesus but can’t see eye to eye. 

In this episode, Jess and Jeff draw from real-life examples and Scripture to unpack how non-anxious leadership can change the tone of an entire commun...

What if your body is trying to tell you something important? In this episode, Rev. Dr. Tanner Smith and Pastor Chase Rashad Stancle explore the powerful connection between our bodies, emotions, and spiritual well-being. They discuss how ignoring physical signals can impact leadership, relationships, and mental health. Whether you're a pastor or not, learning to listen to your body can lead to healing, stronger connecti...

In the first episode of our new segment, Systems and Shifts, Rev. Jess Shults and Rev. Jeffrey Munroe talk about the challenges leaders face when their personal beliefs change, but their jobs and organizations expect them to stay the same.

They discuss why these internal conflicts happen and share advice on how to handle them wisely, especially when personal growth or changes in faith don’t match the value...

In a world that relentlessly pushes leaders to do more and move faster, the act of slowing down feels like a luxury we can’t afford. But in this episode, we explore why it’s not only necessary — it's essential to our spiritual and emotional flourishing. Rev. Dr. Tanner Smith and Pastor Chase Rashad Stancle share practical ways to rest, reflect, and connect more deeply with God. They offer simple ideas like setting boun...

In this episode of The Practicing Hope Podcast, Pastor Kim DeLong joins host Jenny Steele to dive into her transformative experience with the Leap of Faith movie. Through her work with the Colossian Forum, Kim learned to see conflict not as something to fear, but as a powerful tool for deeper understanding.

What does true leadership in a polarized world look like?

In this episode of the Practicing Hope podcast, Jenny Steele sits down with Pastor James Stokes whose influence in Grand Rapids, Michigan spans from the pulpit to community activism. Listen in as Pastor Stokes reveals how his experiences, from navigating societal and institutional shifts to participating in groundbreaking projects like the Leap of F...

In this episode on the Practicing Hope Podcast, Jenny Steele sits down with Pastor Andrew Vanover, a participant in the Leap of Faith movie. As the pastor of Thornapple Covenant Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Andrew shares a powerful and honest look into his journey through the challenges of leading during a global pandemic, navigating church polarization, and enduring significant staff changes. 

Along ...

What do you do when the way you worship becomes a point of division? In this episode of Pastors Anonymous, hosts Jenny Steele and Jess Shults tackle two key challenges church leaders face: managing tensions around church renovations and creating inclusive worship experiences. They offer practical insights for leaders on balancing tradition and change in ways that respect sacred spaces and diverse congregations.

In this episode of Leap of Faith Movie Conversations, Rev. Tierra Marshall and Jenny Steele talk about the central role of friendship in Tierra’s life, both inside and outside the church, and how it informs her pastoral leadership. She explains how themes of vulnerability and genuine care played out during the filming process of Leap of Faith and recounts her memorable discussions with fellow pastors like Molly and Ash...

In a culture that demands certainty—especially in the public sphere of social media and ministry—Pastor Troy Hatfiled talks with Ashlee Eiland in today’s episode of Leap of Faith Movie Conversations about the relief that comes with acknowledging one’s limitations. Troy and Ashlee discuss the vulnerability it takes to admit "I don’t know" and why spaces for honest, open dialogue are so vital, both in the church and in o...

In this episode, Jenny Steele sits down with Pastor Cornelius Ting who has served as the pastor of Grand Rapids Chinese Christian Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan for nearly two decades. Cornelius shares his journey from growing up in multicultural Malaysia to becoming a key participant in the movie LEAP OF FAITH. 

Cornelius opens up about his own struggles with insecurity and isolation in his pastoral rol...

In an age where polarization runs deep, how can churches create spaces of genuine dialogue? 

In this episode of the Practicing Hope Podcast, host Ashlee Eiland speaks with Pastor Artie Lindsay, one of the pastors in LEAP OF FAITH, about the profound theme of authenticity within pastoral leadership. They discuss the importance of not just knowing theology but genuinely understanding the heart of God. 

In this episode of Pastors Anonymous, hosts Jenny Steele and Rev. Jess Shults explore the evolving understanding of what it means to be the Church. Inspired by a listener’s question—“Can church occur in a dog park or a tattoo parlor?”—they discuss the mental models that shape our perceptions of community and faith, challenging the notion that Church is confined to a physical building.

This episode is for a...

Ever wondered why we crave authenticity in our relationships? Join Ashlee Eiland and Jenny Steele in Leap of Faith Movie Conversations as they discuss the connection between our spiritual design and our longing for open, honest dialogues, all while confronting the challenges that come with embracing our true selves.

Listeners will hear about Ashlee's role in LEAP OF FAITH, some of her recent life changes, ...

In this episode of Leap of Faith Movie Conversations, Ashlee Eiland welcomes her friend Ben Kampmeier, a seasoned minister with a rich background in various church roles. From his beginnings as the "youth group guitar kid" to his current role as Director of Engagement at Our Daily Bread Ministries, Ben shares the journey that has shaped his faith and ministry.

As they explore Ben’s unexpected involvement i...

What if the key to healing a polarized world lies in the ancient wisdom of faith? In this episode on The Practicing Hope Podcast, host Jenny Steele speaks with Michael Gulker, the president of the Colossian Forum, to continue the conversation about the new movie LEAP OF FAITH. Jenny and Michael delve into the origins of the groundbreaking film project that arose from the heart of Grand Rapids, sparked by filmmaker Nich...