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.
We are officially on Season 3! This season is about staying sharp in today’s rapidly changing environment. We’ll dive into the practical issues leaders are facing right now—from running effective executive team meetings to navigating crucial conversations to leading in moments when the playbook doesn’t exist yet.
Holly and Tim are moving out of the studio into our offices, and they will be recording and posting in real time, responding to current events as they happen, sharing fresh insights from our work with leaders across North America.
Be sure to email us at tim@leadingsmart.com if there are specific topics you want us to cover!
Enjoy!
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The LeadingSmart Podcast
[S3EP7] 5 Leadership Lessons Churches Learned in 2025 (Boards, Meetings, Succession & More)
As we close out the year, we’re reflecting on the five biggest leadership lessons we learned in 2025—lessons shaped by real conversations with church leaders, boards, and executive teams across the country.
In this season finale of LeadingSmart, Tim and Holly unpack what 2025 revealed about:
- Why many churches outgrow their board structure without realizing it
- How men and women can lead together in healthy, effective ways
- Why poor meeting discipline quietly damages staff culture
- What senior pastors need to clarify before and after leadership transitions
- And why consistency is harder—and more important—than most leaders expect
This is an honest, practical conversation about what’s working, what’s not, and what church leaders should pay attention to as they head into 2026.
Whether you’re a senior pastor, executive pastor, board member, or ministry leader, this episode will help you reflect on the past year and move forward with greater clarity and intention.
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2026 LeadingSmart Gatherings Are OPEN! https://www.leadingsmart.com/gatherings
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