The RISE Leadership Podcast
The RISE Leadership Podcast is a resource for leadership development within Cross Church, specifically created to equip and inspire our dream team volunteers, seminary residents, and staff members, though other churches may find value as well. In each episode, we offer insights and actionable takeaways to help you grow spiritually, lead with confidence, and make a Christ-centered impact in your ministry and life. Whether you’re looking to enhance your leadership skills, deepen your faith, or navigate challenges with grace, The RISE Leadership Podcast provides the tools you need to lead yourself and empower those around you.
Episodes
34 episodes
3 Prayers of the Leader to Wrap up the Year
In this episode of The RISE Leadership Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Dixon and Phil McMichael wrap up 2025 with a discussion on the personal prayer life of the leader. As part of this episode they will dive deep into 3 specific prayers every lea...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 33
•
34:15
Leading Through Positivity, with Coach Houston Nutt
Coach Houston Nutt—one of the most beloved Razorback coaches of all time—joins Dr. Jeremy Dixon and Phil McMichael to talk about the power of positivity in leadership. From his days as a three-time SEC Coach of the Year to guiding players towar...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 32
•
38:53
Intro to Media Ministry
In this episode of The RISE Leadership Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Dixon and Phil McMichael our back in our Introduction to Ministry series with a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most influential—and often least understood—areas of...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 31
•
19:03
ReLeader: Fixing What You Didn’t Break with Jon Chasteen
What do you do when you inherit something broken? Most leaders will eventually step into a role they didn’t start—whether it’s a ministry, a team, or an organization—and face the challenge of rebuilding trust, culture, and vision. In this episo...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 30
•
29:03
Walking Through Life-Changing Defeat with The Toughest Man in Baseball, Mike Matheny
What happens when life throws a curveball you never saw coming? Mike Matheny—known as one of the toughest men to ever wear the gear—played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Brewers, Blue Jays, Cardinals, and Giants. After...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 29
•
37:10
Building a Culture of Resilience
Real leadership isn’t tested in calm waters—it’s forged in the storms. In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Dixon and Phil McMichael talk with Dr. Keith McDaniel, Superintendent of Shiloh Christian School and seasoned military veteran, about what resili...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 28
•
31:44
Developing Talent... & When to Look for Staff Externally
Discover insights with Tim Stevens, Founder and CEO of Leading Smart, a leading consulting firm dedicated to empowering business and church leaders to achieve their full potential. In this episode, Tim shares proven strategies for developing yo...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 27
•
34:05
Maintaining a Culture of Purpose, with John Rausch
John Rausch, Chairman and CEO of Rausch Companies, joins the podcast to discuss expanding a business begun by his grandfather, leading toward and through a major transition, and maintaining team and organizational culture.
•
Season 1
•
Episode 26
•
31:27
Faith in the Spotlight
How do you live out your faith when the cameras are always on? 5News anchor Tiffany Lee joins The RISE Leadership Podcast to share her journey of following Christ while working in the public eye. She opens up about the importance of Bi...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 25
•
28:13
The Intersection of Faith and Leadership in Corporate America
Josh Carson is the Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Rausch Companies. Josh joins Jeremy & Phil to discuss how he has been able to create avenues for spiritual conversations and encouragement for his team, and how his own wal...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 24
•
27:42
Leading Through Crisis, with Dave Kinney
Dave Kinney, our Cross Church Pastor of Operations, discusses layers of organizational, personal and regional crisis he has walked through, and leadership lessons that helped him to navigate those seasons.
•
Season 1
•
Episode 23
•
34:11
Intro to C3 - Cross Church College Ministry
In this episode, Phil & Jeremy sit down with Eli Laughlin, College Pastor at Cross Church, to discuss the vision, mission & opportunities of C3. If you are a college student interested in finding community and even looking for your own ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 22
•
27:44
Legacy, Spiritual Leadership, and the Long Game
In this episode of The RISE Leadership Podcast, Jeremy and Phil sit down with Brennan Washington—former Cross Church staff member and now a church planter in Kentucky—for a powerful conversation on spiritual leadership that lasts. Brennan share...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 21
•
41:07
BTS of CTS: The Story Behind Cross Theological Seminary
In this episode of The RISE Leadership Podcast, Dr. Jeff Crawford—President of Cross Theological Seminary—joins Jeremy and Phil for a special behind-the-scenes look at how CTS came to life. From a simple dream to a thriving seminary, D...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 20
•
39:25
Leading Remotely (And Crazy God Stuff)
IMB missionaries Seth & Amanda join our podcast to discuss lessons they have learned from serving and leading large numbers of team members who are stationed in remote locations.
•
Season 1
•
Episode 19
•
28:22
Leading Up!
How do you influence the leaders above you without overstepping—and empower those below you to speak into your leadership? In this episode, Champion Forest Baptist Church Lead Pastor Jarrett Stephens joins us to unpack the art of “leading up.” ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 18
•
28:43
The Catalyst Leader, with Brad Lomenick
Host Jeremy Dixon is joined by leadership consultant, author, and former Catalyst leader Brad Lomenick. Together, they explore the weighty and essential leadership themes of identity, calling, and assignment—unpacking what it means to steward y...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 17
•
34:13
The Constant Fight for a Healthy Marriage (en Espanol)
En este episodio, Marco y Sonia Hernández, del equipo ministerial de Cross Church, comparten su trayectoria desde el inicio de su matrimonio, cuando ninguno de los dos era seguidor de Cristo, hasta su experiencia de salvación con Jesús, y cómo ...
•
Season 1
•
25:41
The Constant Fight for a Healthy Marriage
In this episode, Marco & Sonia Hernandez from our Cross Church ministry team share their journey as a married couple. From the beginning of their marriage when neither was a follower of Christ, to their saving encounter with Jesus, and how ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 16
•
34:12
Don't Look Back, with Donnie Smith
Former Tyson & Foster Farms CEO Donnie Smith discusses the pitfalls of holding onto past successes and disappointments, how to stay focused on what's ahead, and how to run after God's best plans for your future in life and leadership. ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 15
•
32:58
Rediscovering Joy in your Family, with Ted Cunningham
Author, Pastor and Comedian Ted Cunningham joins Pastor Nick Floyd and Jeremy Dixon to discuss finding joy in the crazy seasons and rhythms of family life.
•
Season 1
•
Episode 14
•
27:04
Where Passions Intersect with Priorities
In this episode Wichita State pitcher Caleb Anderson, former Razorback Brandon Moore and guest co-host Rick Schaeffer join Phil McMichael to discuss baseball, leadership, and how to maximize our position and passions for the advancement of God’...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 13
•
29:02
Leading Through Conflict, with Dr. Ryan Blackwell
In this episode, Jeremy and Phil will talk with Ryan Blackwell about navigating conflict as the leader. Join us as Dr. Blackwell discusses biblical and practical wisdom for handling conflict, and how to lead through conflict in a way that stren...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 12
•
31:38
The Fight to Finish Well
Brandon Thomas, Keystone ChurchThe fight to finish well — while every believer is aware of the priority that it should hold in our lives, we can easily lose sight of this fight as a motivational focus. In a recent chapel service...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 11
•
35:23
Walking in Obedience and Seeing God Move, with Mark Hutchinson
In this episode of The RISE Leadership Podcast, Jeremy Dixon and Phil McMichael sit down with our 2025 Freedom Weekend Speaker, Mark Hutchinson. Mark — the Young Adult Pastor from Family Life Church in Tampa, Florida —will take us thro...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 10
•
26:09