Worship Leader Essentials Podcast

If leaders aren’t healthy, teams eventually suffer. In Episode 4, Austin Ryan and Lane Wood turn the conversation inward, exploring 10 non-negotiable ways leaders must care for themselves spiritually, emotionally, physically, and relationally. This honest conversation addresses: Why neglecting health leads to burnout and failure What “healthy leadership” really looks like Daily, weekly, and seasonal practices that fill your tank The difference between guilt-driven leadership and grace-filled leadership Why self-care isn’t selfish—it’s stewardship If you want to finish strong instead of flaming out, this episode is essential. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

Most leaders don’t lead uniform teams—they lead beautifully messy ones. In this episode, Austin Ryan and Lane Wood tackle one of the biggest leadership challenges today: caring for teams made up of wildly different ages, backgrounds, personalities, and experiences. From teenagers to retirees, new believers to seasoned saints, this conversation offers practical wisdom for leading diverse teams with unity and grace. You’ll discover: How to lead both older and younger team members with honor Ways to cast vision across generations How to foster real relationships on diverse teams Why humility and excellence build unity Practical steps to help people value one another If your team feels more like a family reunion than a staff meeting, this episode is for you. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

Healthy teams don’t happen by accident—they’re built with intentional care. In Episode 2 of The Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin Ryan and Lane Wood get incredibly practical, sharing 23 (plus!) proven ways to keep teams spiritually healthy, connected, and thriving. Whether you lead staff, volunteers, creatives, or a small group, these ideas are designed to work in real life with real people. You’ll learn: Whose responsibility team health really is Simple ways to pastor people without being overwhelmed How prayer, encouragement, Scripture, and community shape culture Creative ways to build connection beyond rehearsals and meetings Why caring for yourself is the starting point for caring for others No fluff. Just tested practices that help leaders protect people and build momentum. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

Soul Care is a phrase leaders hear often—but few truly understand or practice. In this opening episode of Season 6 of The Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin Ryan sits down with worship leader Lane Wood to define what soul care really is—and why it matters for every leader. This isn’t self-help or self-indulgence. It’s learning to live and lead by grace, using the strength and resources God provides. Together, Austin and Lane unpack: What soul care actually means (and what it doesn’t) Why caring for your soul is essential to healthy leadership The biggest gaps worship leaders and team members face today Four foundational practices that help leaders live by grace Why rest and growth must coexist—or leadership suffers If you lead anyone—on a church staff, volunteer team, business, or family—this conversation will reframe how you think about leadership health and longevity. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

Season 5: How to Build the Team of Your Dreams Episode 4: How Co-Leadership Builds Stronger Teams | The 3 Covenants What if leadership didn’t have to be lonely? In this final episode of the Worship Catalyst Podcast series Building the Team of Your Dreams, Austin Ryan and Ben Barfield unpack what it looks like to lead together without losing unity. Drawing from nearly 20 years of co-leading churches and organizations, they reveal the 5 biggest benefits of co-leadership—and practical ways to make it work. If you’ve ever wrestled with questions like “Who really makes the final decision?” or “Can shared leadership actually work?”—this conversation is for you. You’ll discover how co-leadership: ✅ Creates accountability and prevents burnout ✅ Builds humility and trust among leaders ✅ Makes teams stronger and more resilient ✅ Frees each person to lead in their strengths ✅ Demonstrates healthy leadership to your organization Whether you lead in ministry, business, or education, this episode shows how applying the 3 Covenants to co-leadership can transform not just your relationships—but your results. Our NEW Book, The 3 Covenants: Building Team Loyalty is AVAILABLE NOW!  https://the3covenants.com to order a copy for you and your team!  Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

Season 5: How to Build the Team of Your Dreams Episode 3: How to Build a Healthy Team Culture That Lasts  You’ve heard what the 3 Covenants are—now it’s time to learn how to actually live them out. In this episode of the Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin Ryan and Ben Barfield share practical ways to implement and reinforce the 3 Covenants in your ministry, business, or organization. If you’ve ever wondered how to build trust that lasts or how to create a culture of unity on your team, this episode gives you the step-by-step roadmap. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Introduce the 3 Covenants to your team with confidence and clarity ✅ Keep them alive in weekly meetings and daily interactions ✅ Handle broken trust and rebuild relationships quickly ✅ Create a culture where honesty, humility, and loyalty thrive ✅ Multiply covenant relationships throughout your entire organization This episode is packed with actionable tips you can use right away to start building the team of your dreams—one that communicates clearly, trusts deeply, and thrives on mission. Our NEW Book, The 3 Covenants: Building Team Loyalty is AVAILABLE NOW!  https://the3covenants.com to order a copy for you and your team!  Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

Season 5: How to Build the Team of Your Dreams Episode 2: Build Loyal Teams That Last  What if the secret to building loyal, drama-free teams wasn’t about management strategy—but about relationships? In this episode of the Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin Ryan and Ben Barfield share 11 powerful reasons why living in covenant relationships can transform your team. Drawing from their book The 3 Covenants: Building Team Loyalty, they reveal how trust, unity, and accountability can turn any group—church staff, business team, or classroom—into a family on mission. You’ll discover how covenant relationships: ✅ Create deeper trust and eliminate drama ✅ Build a culture of safety and belonging ✅ Boost productivity and reduce turnover ✅ Lead to joy, peace, and greater focus on the mission ✅ Help people find what they were truly made to do Whether you lead a worship ministry, a company, or a classroom, these 11 insights will help you build loyal teams that last—and love doing it together. Our NEW Book, The 3 Covenants: Building Team Loyalty is AVAILABLE NOW!  https://the3covenants.com to order a copy for you and your team!  Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

Season 5: How to Build the Team of Your Dreams Episode 1: The 3 Covenants: End Workplace Conflict & Build Trust Not every person on every team gets along—and that can derail the mission fast. In this episode of the Worship Catalyst Podcast, host Austin Ryan sits down with long-time ministry partner Ben Barfield to introduce The 3 Covenants: Building Team Loyalty. Together, they unpack the simple but powerful commitments that have kept them leading side by side for over 20 years. Whether you lead in ministry, business, education, or sports, these principles can help you build trust, strengthen unity, and lead without the weight of conflict. Our NEW Book, The 3 Covenants: Building Team Loyalty is AVAILABLE NOW! https://the3covenants.com to order a copy for you and your team!  Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

What does a church member expect from his pastor and other staff? What relationship with God does he expect church leaders to have? And how does he want pastors to join him in his evangelistic efforts? These are some of the questions Austin Ryan asks series guest Joe Penovich as they bring this series to a close. The answers to these and other questions might surprise you! Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

Are we singing the right things? If someone came to our church and listened to our song list for 6 months, would they capture the basic core theologies of the church and scripture? Many worship songs include the themes of grace, love, hope, healing, power and the goodness of God. But do we sing many songs about how God causes sickness and darkness? In this episode of the Worship Catalyst podcast, Austin Ryan sits down again with Joe Penovich to discuss the one core Biblical teaching that we often miss when we choose the songs for our churches.  Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

Hopefully every worship leader and pastor wants to lead in the power of the Holy Spirit. Hearing His voice and knowing that He is leading in us and through us is the only way we want to lead. But…are you leading that way? And what is the pattern of life that can lead to you finally experiencing this power you desire. In this episode, Austin sits down again with Joe Penovich as they discuss a process of knowing God and praying in His Spirit that will empower us to live and lead from a place of strength. Spoiler alert…it’s not easy…but It’s worth it! Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

Is your church service more like the cry of Israel to God or a high quality professional presentation? Is it possible to have both? In this episode of the Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin sits down with Joe Penovich and looks at scriptures that talk about singing and what the patterns should be in our worship gatherings. Together, they also ask the question, “In what ways are we artificially manufacturing a moment of praise in our congregations?”  Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

Has worship music become a counterfeit of the Holy Spirit? Do you ever feel like you are leading well, but it doesn’t feel led or empowered by the Spirit of God? In this episode of the Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin begins a conversation with Business owner and serial entrepreneur Joe Penovich as they start to unravel the mysteries of worshiping God in a way that people interact with God’s Holy Spirit. They discuss how self-motivated Christianity has led nowhere and start to ask the question - “should we even be singing songs in church these days?” Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

Planning worship services that truly serve your congregation requires wisdom and intentionality. In our final episode, we're addressing five essential questions every worship leader should consider when planning services. Your answers to these questions will shape how your church experiences corporate worship. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

For those called to write songs for the local church, today's episode is crucial. We're exploring seven fundamental principles of worship songwriting that you must never forget. Whether you're just starting or have been writing for years, these insights will sharpen your craft. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

A worship leader's effectiveness flows from their personal walk with God. In this episode, we're diving into seven essential spiritual disciplines that will sustain and strengthen your ministry. These timeless practices will deepen your relationship with God and enhance your leadership. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

From the early church to modern worship movements, certain leaders have shaped how we approach worship. Today, we're exploring seven influential figures whose insights and examples continue to guide worship ministry. Their stories will inspire and challenge your own leadership journey. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

Why should evangelism be at the heart of your worship ministry? Today, we're examining four compelling reasons your team needs to embrace evangelism as a core value. Discover how worship and outreach naturally flow together in God's kingdom work. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

Excellence in worship doesn't happen by accident. In this episode, we're sharing eight practical strategies to build and nurture an exceptional worship ministry. From rehearsal techniques to team dynamics, you'll gain tools to elevate your ensemble's effectiveness. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.

Understanding the church and its beliefs isn't just for seminary students. Today, we're breaking down four essential concepts about theology and ecclesiology that will deepen your ministry's impact and help you lead with greater theological clarity. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com.