Eagle Brook Church Leadership Podcast

Conversations about money have a way of making people uncomfortable—especially in the church. In this episode, John and Don sit down with Jim Johnson, the executive director of global and generosity partnerships at Eagle Brook, for an honest conversation about why money and generosity matter and how we can talk about both in ways that feel normal, practical, and appr...

In this episode, John and Don sit down with Maita Troje, campus pastor at our Minneapolis campus, to discuss leading through complex cultural and political circumstances. They chat about lessons learned from a challenging year for the city of Minneapolis, women in leadership in the church, and how to trust your leadership despite facing barriers and insecurities.

In this episode, John and Don sit down with Andrew Hermann to explore what it means to be an effective communicator using the FLOP method—Focus, Listen & Link, Own/Others’ Stories, and Preparation. They break down each element with practical insight and real-life application, helping you communicate more clearly, connect more deeply, and lead conversations with purpose.

In this episode, John and Don talk with Steve Johnson and break down the inner workings of prison ministry—what it looks like, how it operates, and the role it plays in reaching incarcerated individuals. They also share meaningful stories that highlight the impact and momentum of ministry efforts within prisons today.

Do you know someone who might be curious and open to learning more about Jesus? Don and John walk through a biblical model called the  Four Circles of Transformation   to give insight into how to share your faith, engage in conversations with others who are exploring their faith, and how to help lead them to a relationship with Jesus. SHOW NOTES To access PDFs, view the links below. Gosp...

As a leader, how do you help develop future leaders vs. simply managing people? In this episode, Don and John talk with TJ Palme about how to coach your team to reach their full potential. Learn how to recognize individual strengths and weaknesses, provide constructive feedback, and establish practical leadership frameworks.

Many characteristics can contribute to a healthy workplace culture, but self-awareness stands out as one of the most impactful. Don and John sit down to explore why it matters and how to strengthen it within yourself and your team.

Don and Jon talk with Madison Gulley, the Online Viewing Groups pastor, and Randon Ruggles, a Viewing Group host, about what viewing groups are, how they work, and why they matter. They go through the challenges, the meaningful moments, and the impact of people gathering to watch church from anywhere in the world—and practical ways you can get involved.

From 8 years of services in a high school to finally launching a new permanent location—the Plymouth campus is finally here! Don and John sit down with the Plymouth campus pastor, Mike Emmert, and worship pastor Chris Mason to tell the story behind it all. They talk through the challenge and setbacks, the small wins that kept them going, and the moments that make it all worth it.

From the business world to full-time ministry, Michelle Nelson—the Executive Director of Operations at Eagle Brook—sits down with John and Don to talk about what it's like to transition careers...from the positives to the challenges and everything in between. If you feel called to a career in ministry, this one's for you. 

Did Don get inducted into the White Castle Hall of Fame?! You know it. He and John discuss how to create extraordinary experiences out of ordinary moments, sharing helpful insights and reminders for leaders. If you believe in something, make it count!

Ever feel drained or stuck in a mental fog? Don and John take a seat with Kyle Idleman, a bestselling author and senior pastor at Southeast Christian Church. Based on Kyle's book,  Every Thought Captive , they discuss how to take control of your thoughts by identifying and reframing unhealthy patterns to calm the mental chaos that keeps you stuck, drains your hope, and holds you back.

Don and John are back with a special episode with Merlin Satrom, Ross Allen, and Linda Goodwin from the Eagle Brook Board. They chat with a live audience of Eagle Brook staff and share thoughts on creating a leadership culture that fosters innovation, spiritual well-being in ministry, and the importance of a mission while being part of God’s work in and through the church.

Don and John sit down with Jenny Boyett, co-founder of The ColorWorks Group. They explore dynamics between four temperament categories linked to colors and discovered through a personality assessment  (everyone loves a good personality test) . Find a new understanding of what makes a healthy team as they unpack the attitudes, moods, and behaviors that shape the workplace.

Merlin Satrom, the chairman of the Eagle Brook Board, joins Don and John to talk about the importance of valuing different perspectives. Together, they’ll talk about how the best leaders set themselves up for success, make solid decisions, and share their expertise and perspectives with others.

The Bible can be intimidating and confusing—even for those who've spent a lot of time in church. With so many translations, commentaries, and interpretations, how do you know you're reading it for all it's worth? Don and John chat with Mike Holmes, a biblical scholar, published author, and professor, to find out. Because when leaders get better, the church gets better!

Listen in as Don and John talk through the complex dynamics of innovation as a leader. Need to cast vision to a supervisor or stakeholder? Discover key insights into problem-solving and self-filtering to support thoughtful proposals. Lead boldly and elevate your ministry by fostering a culture of innovation.

There's no “one size fits all” when it comes to marketing. As digital spaces continue to evolve, engaging with an audience has never been easier—and the words we choose have never been more important. So how does a church approach marketing the message of Jesus in today's digital landscape? Don and John talk with Karianne Langfield—the Communications and Digital Director&md...

Don and John chat with Steve Whicker—regional director and Rochester campus pastor—about the value of goal setting and habit building. They get real about self-discipline and consistency, including a look into Steve’s systematic approach to habit stacking.

Don and John sit down with Dawn Wicklund and Bruce Jarman, the campus pastors of Red Wing and Brainerd Lakes, to discuss all things change—from the initial vision behind expansion to navigating transitions, challenges, and everything in between. Along the way, they share stories of faith and insightful advice for leaders.

Leadership: It's a journey. Don recounts his trip to the Grand Canyon in the heat of August and the lessons learned along the way. From preparation, overcoming the nay-sayers, and trying to keep up with his son’s hiking pace, he finds how God is in the details of it all. Don and John talk about enjoying the journey of leadership, not the end result.

When we connect to Jesus every day and he remains our source of life, it pushes us deeper into our faith, even (and especially) through tragedy. Listen in as Don and John chat with Mike Emmert, campus pastor at Eagle Brook Church – Wayzata. Mike talks about the adversity he’s faced in the last year, both professionally and personally, the importance of allowing God to orchestrate durin...

"I am in you, and you’re in me." Listen in as Don and John chat with Megan Fate Marshman, teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church. Megan shares how her partnership with the Holy Spirit empowers her to connect deeply with others and communicate with authenticity. She also discusses her books, Meant for Good and Relaxed, and how her journey through personal suffering has deepened her...

Our world likes to overcomplicate everything—including our relationship with Jesus and the church. Listen in as Don and John chat with Jon Weece, lead pastor of Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, about the primary goals for the church today: love God and love people. It takes each member of the church to stay healthy, serve others, and stay unified. _ Hear more from Jon Weece...

If you're interested in being a part of our staff, thinking of applying for a position, or just curious about who Eagle Brook is at the core, this is the podcast episode for you. Listen in as Don and John chat with Gari Pisca, Eagle Brook's executive director of Operations, about our Vision Culture, Staff Commitments, and Staff Alignment. It's through these foundational teachings that our staff is...