The LeadingSmart Podcast

Honest conversations. Practical insights. Smarter leadership.

Hosted by Tim Stevens and Holly Tate, The LeadingSmart Podcast exists to equip church leaders who care deeply about leading with integrity, clarity, and wisdom—even when it’s hard.

In Season One, we’re diving into a topic most churches avoid until it’s too late: pastoral succession. Over 10 episodes, we’ll pull back the curtain on one of the most critical and complex leadership conversations in the Church today.

Whether you’re a senior pastor beginning to ask “what’s next?”, a board member trying to plan for the future, or a staff leader walking through change, this season will give you the tools, language, and courage to navigate succession well.

Here’s what you can expect each week:

Insight from decades of experience helping churches through transition

Honest stories from the frontlines

Tangible takeaways you can apply with your team, board, or congregation

And of course…our weekly Rants & Raves on everything from leadership to soft pants 😄

Because the truth is: Succession isn’t a moment. It’s a mindset. And it starts long before you think you’re ready.

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Contributors

Host

Tim Stevens

FOUNDER & CEO
Tim is an author, speaker, and leadership expert with a passion for supporting executive leaders and teams. He helps churches and organizations solve problems, improve culture, navigate crises, and lead through change.

Tim spent 9 years in nonprofit leadership, 20 years helping grow a church from 200 to over 6,000, six years as VP at an executive search firm, and four years as Executive Pastor rebuilding one of America’s most iconic churches.

He’s the author of seven books, including Fairness is Overrated and Marked By Love, and has consulted with hundreds of leaders for over 30 years.

Tim is married to Faith and they have four adult children and a Goldendoodle named Jonesy.

https://www.leadingsmart.com

Co-host

Holly Tate

Holly Tate is an executive coach and growth strategist with 13 years of experience helping ministry leaders grow their influence. Passionate about leadership and culture, she partners with organizations to drive lasting impact. She previously served as Chief Services Officer at Leadr, where she built the professional services division and held roles as CMO and SVP of Growth. Before that, she spent nearly a decade at Vanderbloemen, leading business development and marketing as Vice President. In 2020, Holly founded The Ready Network LLC, a consultancy equipping leaders and organizations for sustainable growth. She’s a certified Working Genius Facilitator and a Forbes Communications Council member, contributing to 30+ articles on leadership and communication. Holly lives in Houston with her husband Elliott, daughter Iris, and their dog Scraps.

Focus Areas

Executive Coaching
Leadership Development
Growth Strategy