Next Step Leadership

Money can be one of the most difficult topics for leaders to talk about—yet it’s deeply connected to faith and discipleship. In this episode, Travis Lowe returns to explore stewardship, finances, and meaning in ministry.

Chris and Tracy talk with Travis about his new role in denominational financial leadership, the common struggles pastors face with money, and how stewardship can be practiced with grace rather than guilt. With hones...

What does faithful pastoring look like in a changing world? In this episode of the Next Step Leadership Podcast, Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds sit down with pastor and writer Travis Lowe for a thoughtful conversation about ministry, leadership, and hope.

Travis shares his personal journey into pastoral life, the lessons he’s learned through years of serving people, and how the landscape of ministry continues to shift. He also tal...

In this deeply moving follow-up episode, Kathleen Norris guides Tracy and Chris into the heart of her newest book, Rebecca Sue: A Sister’s Reflection on Disability, Faith, and Love. Hear the reflections from Kathleen’s latest work, which will be a great story for today’s pastors and leaders to learn from. Kathleen shares stories of her sister—her personality, her struggles, her joy—and the ways her sister’s life reshaped Kathleen’s...

In this opening conversation with acclaimed writer Kathleen Norris, Chris and Tracy welcome one of Chris Maxwell’s all-time favorite authors into the Next Step Leadership studio. Kathleen shares the story behind her vocation—her upbringing, her journey of faith, and the experiences that shaped her distinctive voice as a poet, memoirist, and spiritual writer. The conversation explores the contemplative rhythms that have guided her l...

Episode 2 — Todd Korpi / AI Goes to Church: Wisdom for a Digital Age 

In this insightful and highly practical episode, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell dive with Todd Korpi into the central ideas of his book, AI Goes to Church: Pastoral Wisdom for Artificial Intelligence. Todd unpacks the opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations facing today’s church leaders as AI becomes part of everyday life and ministry. He offers gr...

Episode 1 — Todd Korpi / AI Goes to Church: Wisdom for a Digital Age 

Learn in this episode about a leader’s journey and why the church must talk about artificial intelligence. Chris and Tracy begin their two-part series with Todd Korpi by exploring his story—his spiritual journey, his ministry path, and the moments that drew him into the world of technology, culture, and pastoral leadership. Todd shares why he believes the Church c...

Episode 2 — Wisdom for the Next Generation with David Richardson

In this second conversation with David Richardson, Tracy and Chris turn toward the lessons learned over a lifetime of faithful ministry. David speaks candidly about endurance, emotional health, humility, and the evolving landscape of pastoral leadership. He offers guidance for young pastors, encouragement for weary leaders, and insights into what truly matters over the...

Episode 1 — The Story Behind the Leader with David Richardson

In the first of two episodes with Pastor David Richardson, Chris and Tracy guide listeners through an intimate and heartfelt conversation about David’s life story. David reflects on the people, places, and experiences that shaped his calling; the joys and heartbreaks of ministry; and how God has used seasons of struggle to form depth, compassion, and resilience in his lea...

The dialogue continues in Part 2 as Chris and Tracy go deeper with Mary DeMuth into the heart of her work. Together they explore specific themes from her books, each one offering wisdom for today’s leaders—regardless of age, background, or personal story. Mary not only shares lessons from her life and writing, but also highlights the central role of prayer in everything she does. As a writer, literary agent, and gifted storyteller,...

In this inspiring first conversation, hosts Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds welcome Mary DeMuth—author, literary agent, podcaster, and storyteller. Chris shares how he first heard Mary speak at a conference, began reading her books, and eventually started communicating with her. Those conversations, along with the impact of her writing, led him to invite Mary to Next Step Leadership. In this episode, Mary tells her story—what shap...

The conversation with Stephen Jones continues as he and the hosts turn their attention more fully to ministry itself. Stephen reflects on his years of leading and mentoring young people, offering practical wisdom for anyone serving the next generation. His insights go beyond strategies, reminding leaders of the importance of caring for themselves spiritually and emotionally while they pour into others. With a balance of passion and...

In this heartfelt episode, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell sit down with their longtime friend Stephen Jones, a leader who has dedicated his life to showing God’s love to the younger generation. Stephen shares his personal testimony, weaving in stories about his family and the faithfulness of God through their journey. The conversation highlights how his calling has unfolded over the years, leading him into ministry with youth at ...

In the second part of the conversation, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell dive deeper with Dr. John Plake into the urgent cultural questions raised at the end of Part 1. As editor-in-chief of the annual State of the Bible research, John brings clarity to what people really believe in today’s society and how those beliefs are shaping the church. More than statistics, his reflections highlight the importance of leaders listening close...

In this first conversation, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell welcome Dr. John Farquhar Plake, Chief Innovation Officer at the American Bible Society. John begins by sharing his personal journey—more than three decades of ministry as a pastor, missionary, professor, and researcher—and how those experiences shaped his calling to connect research with ministry. Listeners hear about his heart for innovation, discipleship, and equipping...

In the second part of their conversation with Monte Drenner, Tracy and Chris continue exploring the practical ways faith brings strength and resilience. Monte offers wisdom for leaders, pastors, and anyone walking through hard times. His words are gentle but direct—acknowledging the struggles of life while pointing toward God’s peace. This episode is more than an interview; it’s an invitation to pause, to breathe, and to believe th...

Counselor, life coach, and author Monte Drenner joins Tracy and Chris for a meaningful discussion about hope and healing. In this first episode, Monte shares his story and his calling to walk alongside people in their struggles. He talks about the realities pastors and leaders face today—the long journeys, the deep pain, the hidden disappointments—and how faith offers peace in the midst of it all. Listening to Monte reminds us that...

Most weeks, Next Step Leadership features a guest. But this time, it’s just Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell talking together. Their conversation is refreshingly honest—about vocational ministry, about writing books, and about the ongoing purpose behind serving God and people. They share lessons learned and lessons still being learned. Listening to them feels like sitting with two friends who care enough to speak the truth in love....

The conversation with Ben Crisp continues as he talks more openly about the challenges he and his wife have faced—especially walking through a season of deep disappointment. Tracy and Chris draw out his honest reflections on trusting God when life doesn’t go as planned, and on learning how faith holds us steady through the unknown. Ben’s story is not just about ministry; it’s about living with resilience, grace, and hope. As you li...

Ben Crisp’s story is a reminder of God’s presence through every season of life. From experiencing God’s touch as a young boy, to his years as a student at Emmanuel University, to graduate school, marriage, parenting, and now pastoring a church in Oklahoma—Ben has seen God’s faithfulness at every step. In this first part of the conversation, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell listen as Ben shares how God has shaped his calling and sus...