Leading Second Podcast

Leading Second Podcast

A monthly podcast to help church leaders thrive in the second chair. Leading Second exists to equip local churches everywhere to raise up UNCOMMON leaders. In a culture that often celebrates individual achievement and being on top, Leading Second is here to raise up the kind of leaders every pastor would kill to have on the team. Leaders who are all-in, heart and soul for Jesus, His Church, and their team’s mission. In an ever changing world, we have conversations in real-time with pastors and leaders on topics such as church leadership, leading when you’re not in charge, healthy team culture, and how to lead in the second chair. To learn more, visit leadingsecond.com.

Episodes

December 4, 2025 56 mins
What if grace doesn’t always feel good, but it’s exactly where you’re meant to be? In this episode, Brandon Stewart and Dillon Ritchie (CoastLife Church, Venice, FL) sit down with Pastor Julian Lowe (Oasis Church, Los Angeles, CA) for a powerful conversation about the difference between your grace zone and your personal preferences in leadership. Together, they unpack how grace and passion aren’t the same thing, why burying your wa...
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This month on the Leading Second Podcast, we are honored to welcome back Pastor Kevin Gerald to the conversation. In this new episode, Pastor Kevin and Brandon Stewart explore how teaming is not just a human strategy but a reflection of God’s design. This episode is packed with practical and spiritual insights for every leader. You will learn why teaming is sacred, why every team member matters, and why leaders who try to go it alo...
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To start Pastor Appreciation Month, Brandon is joined by Joseph Kelley (Discovery Church, Oklahoma, OK), Jennifer Martin (NorthRock Church, San Antonio, TX), and Alan Cooper (Soul Church, Norwich, UK), to challenge us to examine our hearts and attitudes towards leadership in the church. The conversation pushes us to consider: How might our churches and ministries thrive if we cultivated a culture of genuine honor?
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In this episode, Pastor Charlotte Gambill unpacks the privilege and responsibility of holding up your pastor’s arms, embracing unseen moments, and carrying vision with humility and maturity. If you serve in the second chair, this conversation will strengthen your perspective and remind you: second chair is not second class.
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Brandon and Leading Second bring some exciting announcements to the podcast. Join us for some behind-the-scenes fun. To be a part of the pre-sale for the book, visit: https://books.manuscripts.com/product/lead-it-like-you-own-it/ We've created an Episode Guide for you to follow along with the conversation, find discussion questions to use with your team, and discover additional resources to help you take your second-chair leadersh...
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Brandon, along with Dillon and Leydanis Ritchie (CoastLife Church, Venice, FL), sit down with Leading Second partner James Grout from OneChild. OneChild is a global community of child champions who partner with the local church to reach children in assistance-needed communities. Through initiatives like Hope Centers, we see how the local church becomes a beacon of light, offering not just physical support, but holistic development ...
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This week, Brandon goes Inside the Second Chair with James Fam (Coastal Church, Vancouver, BC) to discover the mindsets, habits, and disciplines of great second chair leaders. Joined by Joseph Kelley (Discovery Church, Oklahoma City, OK), they discuss how, through abiding, we find refreshment, clarity, and a deeper trust in God’s plan for our church and our individual roles within it. We've created an Episode Guide for you to foll...
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Brandon, along with Joseph Kelley (Discovery Church, Oklahoma City, OK) and Jodi Cameron (Champions Centre, Tacoma, WA), welcomes Jake Sweetman (Cathedral, Los Angeles, CA) to help guide us on how to align our actions with God's purpose, highlighting that organizational structure and spirit work hand-in-hand, just as Paul teaches in Ephesians. As we dive into this discussion, we're prompted to ask: Are we creating environments that...
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Brandon, Dillon Ritchie (CoastLife Church, Venice, FL), and Alan Pastian (River Valley Church, Minneapolis, MN) discuss the power of self-awareness and its impact on our leadership journey. The parable of the talents, where faithful servants multiplied their resources, reminds us that we're called to be good stewards of the people God has entrusted to us. Are we truly seeing the potential in others as Jesus did? We've created an...
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In ministry, we often encounter the need to 'level up' our leadership and personal growth. Brandon, Jennifer Martin (NorthRock Church, San Antonio, TX), and Joseph Kelley (Discovery Church, Oklahoma City, OK), sit down with Larry Brey (Elevation Church, Charlotte, NC) to discuss how skill development is crucial for an effective ministry. As we strive to level up, let's remember that our growth impacts not just us, but those we lead...
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This week, we explore the challenges and opportunities of leading in various contexts, including multi-site churches, family leadership transitions, and navigating cultural shifts. Brandon is joined by Tanisha Stromberg (Parallel Church, Okotoks, AB), Bryce Birmingham (Home Church, Calgary, AB), and Isaac Varty (Celebration Church, Edmonton, AB) for a conversation that emphasizes the importance of faithfulness, adaptability, and ma...
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What really happens when you step away from a thriving corporate career to follow the call of ministry? In this episode, Brandon, along with Dillon and Leydanis Ritchie (CoastLife Church, Venice, FL), sit down with Troy Pollock - entrepreneur, former executive, and now location pastor - for a candid conversation about the transition from marketplace to ministry. Troy shares the surprising lessons, transferable skills, and hidden ch...
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In ministry, each seat of leadership carries its own unique weight and perspective. Brandon, along with Dillon and Leydanis Ritchie (CoastLife Church, Venice, FL) and Jason Parrish (The Well, Salt Lake City, UT) explore the dynamics between first and second chair leaders in ministry. Just as a driver must be aware of multiple factors beyond what a passenger sees, those in the first chair often carry responsibilities and insights th...
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Trusting God’s timing isn’t always easy, especially when our desire for security clashes with the call to obedience. But longevity in ministry is built on faithfulness over the long haul - choosing to stay the course even when the future feels uncertain. In this episode, Brandon sits down with Joseph Kelley (Discovery Church, Oklahoma City, OK) and Brandon Catoe (Christ Fellowship Church, West Palm Beach, FL) to talk about the tens...
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In our leadership journeys, we often encounter moments of uncertainty about our roles and the extent of our empowerment. This conversation delves into the heart of these challenges, reminding us that clarity is indeed king. Brandon, Jodi Cameron (Champions Centre, Tacoma, WA), Joseph Kelley (Discovery Church, Oklahoma City, OK), and Ken Hester (LifeFamily Church, Austin, TX) remind us that, just as Jesus spent time with His discipl...
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March 20, 2025 32 mins
This podcast episode celebrates the 200th episode of Leading Second, focusing on the importance and dignity of second chair leadership in ministry. Brandon, Tracy Keene from StrongPoint Church in Columbus, OH; Dillon and Leydanis Ritchie along with their pastor, Jason Warman, from CoastLife Church in Venice FL; and Dan Lord from Gracelife Chapel in St. Louis, MO; reflect on leading in an uncommon way from the second chair. We've cr...
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Brandon sits down with some of the Leading Second team in a discussion to explore the challenges of dealing with division and strife within church ministry teams. Dillon Ritchie (Coastlife Church, Venice, FL), Jennifer Martin (NorthRock Church, San Antonio, TX), and Dom Gianino (Elevation Church, Rock Hill, SC) emphasize the importance of addressing conflicts promptly, maintaining team alignment with the church’s vision, and the ne...
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In our rapidly changing world, we’re faced with an exciting yet challenging technological revolution: artificial intelligence. As people of faith, we’re called to navigate this new landscape with wisdom and discernment. This week Brandon, along with Dillion and Leydanis Ritchie from CoastLife Church in Venice FL, sit down with Michael Whittle, the founder of Pulpit AI to discuss AI’s positive and negative impacts on the church. We'...
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In this powerful discussion, the true essence of faithfulness in leadership is discussed. Brandon, Joseph Kelley from Discovery Church in Oklahoma City, OK, and Devon Torres from The Rock of KC in Kansas City, MO, sit down with Marcus Mecum, Lead Pastor of 7 Hill’s Church in Florence, KY, to help us examine our hearts, realign our priorities, and recommit to serving God and others with authenticity and love. We've created an Episod...
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In the Season 7 finale of the Leading Second Podcast, we discuss how we can better ourselves and our teams by taking ownership of our lives, both in and out of ministry. Start 2025 with strength as you realize It Starts With Me. We've created an Episode Guide for you to follow along with the conversation, find discussion questions to use with your team, and discover additional resources to help you take your second-chair leaders...
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