Lead Stories Podcast

Once we have overcome barriers to responding to God, how do we actually discern what God is saying? What does that look like practically?   This week Jo and Steph share their stories, answering questions such as: What are some of the ways God has got your attention in the past? What role has community played in discerning God's voice? What does it look like discerning God's voice with your husband...

God is already moving and doing things in our lives, neighborhoods and world and He desires for us to meet Him in it.  Can we recognize what He is doing and join Him in it?   Jo and Steph embark on a new season during the season of Lent looking at how we can discern what God is saying and respond to Him accordingly.  In this show they discuss everyday things which prevent us from responding to God...

What does it look like to experience purpose in the wilderness?   This week Jo and Steph look at key men and women in the Bible who were given a calling and a promise and then for an extended period of time they recieved the exact opposite to what God had promised.    They also take time to look at Joshua and Caleb, faithful leaders who were ready to respond to God's invitations to enter the Promi...

In this episode Jo chats with Rachael Leman, the executive director for CARE, a worldwide movement dedicated to ending poverty.   Their focus is on women and girls, recognizing that poverty will only be eradicated when there are equal rights for all.   Listen in to hear how CARE is working to impact the lives of many people positively, empowering them out of poverty.    http://www.care.org http://...

Identity is one of the areas God often puts a finger on during our wilderness seasons. We may suddenly find ourselves stripped of our identities or taking on an identity in an unhealthy way. Often wilderness seasons lead us back to the question: 'who am I actually?' and hopefully then onto finding out who God says we are: His masterpieces.   Before Jesus starts ministry His identity is declared: T...

Jo and Steph talk racial recognition, representation and reconciliation in today's episode.   Listen in to this fascinating and informative discussion on what true historical and biblical justice really looks like and why a diversity of faces in the room is not the same as racial diversity.   Also hear their suggestions for being a bridge in your culture between different diverse people.    Resour...

Jesus has two significant experiences before His ministry begins - first His baptism and then He is driven into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by Satan.   First he receives a declaration of love and approval from His Father before He has done anything, and then He is driven into a harsh physical wilderness.    In this episode Jo and Steph discuss Jesus' wilderness journey in Matth...

Re-broadcast of Life in the Wilderness.   The start of a new series of Life in the Wilderness, Jo and Steph discuss those times we all face but all would prefer not to - those desert times.   They discuss what the wilderness may look like and has looked like for them: times where we feel spiritually dry, where our faith has been tested or where God has used difficult circumstances to form our char...

Jo and Steph chat with Amena and Missi from the 'Hear for the Donuts' podcast about using their voices - Amena as a traveling recording artist and Missi as a blogger, homeschool mom and midwife.   Check out: http://www.amenabrown.com/ Missi's blog: http://www.audacitermatris.com/   Find their podcast: 'Here for the donuts' at https://soundcloud.com/here-for-the-donuts or on iTunes!   Remember to c...

So it turns out God had other plans!  Although uncomfortable, going into the wilderness can be a place where we meet with God and are empowered by Him. Jo and Steph share why and how they felt God is leading them to revisit the wilderness and take us along too!   In this podcast Jo and Steph share about the 'desert fathers and mothers' who deliberately embraced the wilderness as a withdrawal from...

Jo and Steph chat leadership and speaking with Nicole Bullock.   Nicole leads a church called 'Blue Oaks Covenant church' in the Twin Cities but she is originally from inner-city Chicago.    Listen in to hear what life was like for Nicole growing up in Chicago, how she was influenced by Christians who served in her neighborhood. Find out how she came to lead a Gospel choir without knowing how to s...

This week Jo and Steph interview each other about vision.     Find out how hauling a 250lb television fits in with leadership and getting along and how Jo and Steph answer these questions:   - How has vision played a role in your leadership? - What does discerning vision look like for you? - When are some times that vision was crucial?   - What does casting a vision look like as a leader in times...

Steph is chatting with Efrem Smith about his role as President of 'World Impact Incorporated' and how his upbringing has impacted his calling to see reconciliation and unity within churches and communities currently divided along class, political or racial lines.     Listen in to hear how this passion for diversity and reconciliation has impacted Efrem's ministry decisions.  He also shares steps w...

What is vision, how do we get it and how do we know if it is any good? Do you have vision for your life?   After Steph shares some great, although unsolicited, dating advice, Jo and Steph share how vision is 'a picture of what could be' and how we embrace that in our lives. They share why vision is so important and what happens when vision isn't present.   Bible passages mentioned:   Proverbs 29:1...

Courageous leaders lead with their whole hearts.  Listen in as Jo and Steph answer questions live from Bethel Seminary.    Questions include:    1) How do I authentically implement my own leadership style whilst also accommodating the needs and styles of those I am leading ?   2) How can I, as a male leader, empower the women around me without being patronizing?   3) How do you lead in the midst o...

Jo and Steph have been doing the 'hello, goodbye' process for years.   In this podcast they vulnerably and candidly share   their personal goodbyes and hellos from last year and for the coming year.   Steph shares about how last year's word 'threshold' worked out, and the new words God has given to her for this year: 'priority shift' and 'redefine'. She shares about how she is trying to intentiona...

It's 2017! Today Jo and Steph are chatting about what it looks like to be intentional with looking backwards at 2016 and saying 'hello!' to 2017. It is not too late for you to embrace the process!   Saying goodbye to things in the previous year and saying hello to new things has been a process Jo has been embracing since way back in 1992! Listen in to hear her journey with the process.   The 'Hell...

Steph's Favorite episode: Episode 36 - The Biggest Lies of Life on Mission God is doing things all around us and is inviting us to be on mission with Him on a daily basis in our everyday lives. There are, however, many lies we believe which hold us back from joining Him.   Jo and Steph discuss 10 lies about life on mission : 1. It is going to take a lot of extra time (which I don't have!) 2. A lif...

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In this episode Jo and Steph review Lead Stories season 1. You may or may not hear them singing Mariah Carey as well as find out their favourite Christmas movies, favorite Lead Stories episodes this year and some ideas for Season 2. Also if you haven't joined the mailing list yet to get your free 'hello - goodbye' workbook, and to be one of the first to find out about the forthcoming Lead Stories...

The holidays are coming and that means we often have lots of opportunities to navigate conflict in testing times! Jo and Steph share several practical ideas to empower us to manage tension, and to pursue healthy relationships with our loved ones.   In this episode they will discuss:   1) The importance of the preparation of prayer 2) Learning to listen well 3) How to ask good questions 4) Clarifyi...

Jo and Steph are answering questions from a live audience on leadership and life. Questions include: - What key questions or conversations should I have when I start working with a new boss? - What tips do you have on finishing well? - Is there a common thread in the lives of those leaders you look up to? - How do you motivate or move on people you are leading who are not doing a role well? - How...

This week Jo and Steph are live from The Sheridan Story warehouse in Minneapolis, interviewing Rob Williams, the Executive director. After a call for help from a local school which had discovered children hoarding food on Fridays because of food insecurity over the weekends, The Sheridan Story began to provide Friday food packages to children in need. Working with local faith communities, The Sher...

Working with survivors of trafficking, addiction and prostitution, Becca Stevens developed Thistlefarms social enterprise as a way to meet the economic needs of those women.  The project began with a residential community of just 5 women and is now the largest national enterprise run by survivors.   Jo chats with Becca about her dream to create a sanctuary for women survivors, her journey to ordin...

Meet Amy Boucher-Pye, an American writer and leader who lives in London, England. This week Jo chats with Amy about what leadership looks like for her and why she has found it hard to see herself as a leader at times.   Amy shares about how God helped her to forgive a person who betrayed her, what she has learned about what forgiveness looked like in the Old and New Testament and some of the costs...