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.
#LeadingSmartPodcast, #ChurchLeadership, #SuccessionPlanning, #LeadershipDevelopment, #ExecutivePastor, #LeadershipTools, #MinistryCoaching, #LeadershipPodcast
The LeadingSmart Podcast
5 Lessons I Wish I Knew At 18
Welcome to Season 2 of LeadingSmart! In this special premiere episode, we're switching gears from pastoral succession to something deeply personal - Tim Stevens shares his 40-year ministry journey and the lessons he wishes he'd known starting out.
What this episiode will cover:
✅ Tim's unconventional path from 18-year-old gap year to ministry leader
✅ 9 years with Life Action Ministries (including how he met his wife!)
✅ 20 transformative years at Granger Community Church
✅ Building teams at Vanderbloemen Search Group
✅ The unexpected call to Willow Creek during COVID
✅ Launching Leading Smart full-time
5 Key Lessons from This Episode:
1. Everything builds toward the next (even when you can't see it)
2. Knowing when it's the right time to move
3. Understanding "push vs. pull" in career transitions
4. Recognizing the difference between a "calling" and the "next right move"
5. Never burn bridges when you leave
🔥 Tim's Passionate Reminder: "You don't have to say everything in order to be telling the truth."
This season features 10-12 episodes condensing 40 lessons, plus special interviews with Tim's wife Faith, his adult children, and the "Granger OGs."
Next Episode: "The Long Game" - Why longevity matters in ministry leadership
#theleadingsmartpodcast #leadershipodcast #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipcoaching #leadership #40years #lifelessons #lessonslearned #lessonslearnedinlife
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🎧 Listen to the full 40 Lessons In 40 Years series
https://www.leadingsmart.com/podcast
Download 40 Lessons in 40 Years E-Book https://www.leadingsmart.com/lessons
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