Lead Stories Podcast

Whether they are intentional or not, we all have routines and rituals in our lives.   Positively or negatively, they shape our leadership, relationships and productivity.   This week Jo and Steph discuss the rituals and routines they have found helpful to be intentional about in their lives, from prayer practices, retreat days, physical health, review and mentoring.   Jo and Steph discuss question...

When you meet a leader who is positive and patient you are meeting someone who has learned to be self-aware and manage their frustrations in a healthy way. This doesn't happen automatically for most people - it is part of the work that goes on behind the scenes for a leader.   This week Jo and Steph talk emotional intelligence and the importance of self awareness and social awareness in order to l...

In this episode Jo talks leadership behind the scenes with Vivian Mabuni, an Asian-American leader. They discuss cultural clashes in life and leadership, the differences between western and eastern styles of leadership, struggling against 'phantom' leaders, and the behind-the-scenes things that God has used to develop character in Vivian's life - from motherhood to cancer. Find out how Vivian find...

When a photographer takes a photo there is a whole lot which is not included in that one snapshot.   Leadership is just like that - what is seen by others is just one angle of that person's life.   This week it is Jo's turn to answer the questions about her life behind the scenes in leadership.   Jo shares about the loneliness and cost of leadership, how relationships have been affected by leaders...

Life as a leader is like an I-phone running lots of different apps: many things are going on but only one thing is seen at a time. Unfortunately (or sometimes fortunately?!) most people around us only get to see one or two of the things we have going on and fail to see the greater perspective of our lives.   This episode is a chance to find out more of life behind the scenes for Steph as she is in...

In this episode Steph talks leadership with Raymond Blackledge, a YMCA youth support program director, serving youth in the juvenile justice system.   Talking from his experience working with leaders and vulnerable young people, Raymond shares the things which have helped him lead successfully, as well as his failures and top tips for leading others.   Which people have most influenced Raymond's l...

Leadership that is seen is just the tip of the iceberg of a leader's life.  To be people who thrive we need healthy foundations and we need other people to walk alongside us.   Daniel, Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego's are a powerful picture of leaders in relationship encouraging one another as they faced difficult situations.   Jo and Steph share their own practices in finding and maintaining rel...

When God's people were dragged to Babylon as exiles, God told them to accept the new normal and prosper within it. (Jeremiah 29).   'New normals' mean that something has changed, whether good or bad, big or small.   New normals are not always new ideals, but God still desires us to accept them and prosper within them.   In this episode, Jo and Steph discuss how to fully step into the new normal.  ...

Love it or hate it, transition happens to all of us - sometimes we are ready and waiting and at other times we struggle to embrace it.       In this episode, Jo and Steph look at the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42 and discuss how Mary put aside the cultural expectations on her to embrace her calling. Martha embraced the oughts whereas Mary embraced what was needed. Jo shares her testimo...

It's September and the physical seasons are changing and so it is a great opportunity to look at how we can prepare for and embrace new seasons well.     In this podcast Jo and Steph discuss the 4 Rs of stepping into a new season:     1) Review   2) Release   3) Receive Revelation   4) Respond     Discussion questions:   1) Review : Do you have regular planned times to review the different areas o...

In this episode Jo interrogates Steph and her new fiancé, JD, on your behalf, to find out all the things you want to know about their relationship and engagement! Tune in to find out LeadStories exclusives such as:   Which online dating site helped them get together? What about Steph made the first impression on JD? Who is JD? Were there any deal-breakers in their relationship? How did they know t...

We all have a contribution to make to society and to the kingdom of God - let's use that as our definition of 'work' as we explore what Mission looks like in our everyday work.   In Genesis 1:26-31 we see that God made the world and put us in it to take care of with Him.  That was the first work, God said it was good and it was before the fall.  God desires us to bring His kingdom into our work sp...

Often the way the Good News is presented to others does not sound like good news! In this Episode Jo and Steph discuss how we can be and bring true Good News to others.     In the Scripture (Isaiah 61) that Jesus quotes in Luke 4 we can identify 5 ways He was Good News to others:   1) Provision 2) Freedom 3) Healing 4) Justice 5) Undeserved favor   We can be and bring Good News to others as we ide...

God is pursuing the people around us and He invites us to join Him.  Using Jesus' practical instructions in Luke 10:1-9 we can discover who our 'people of peace' are and how we should respond to them, pronouncing His wholeness and freedom into their lives.   What does it look like to go into our everyday lives with intention? How do we identify where God's Spirit is already working amongst those w...

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 life on mission is somewhere else, preferably abroad. 3. You have to be a pro...

What is 'calling'? How do we handle seasons where God seems silent about our calling? How do you step into what you think God is doing when all the doors keep closing? How does serving in insignificant roles make a difference to our callings? How do we discern which ideas to pursue when we have some many ideas? How can we encourage people to be content with seemingly insignificant callings? How ca...

What can I do if my partner is not at the same place spiritually as me? How can I thrive being single? How can churches encourage people to step out of gender roles and embrace their personal calling? What about conflicts? How can we build healthy teams? How can women navigate relationships with men who are not supportive of their calling?   Jo and Steph are live answering these questions and more...

Racism is a curse, but diversity is a gift.   How can we embrace that gift in the areas of influence that God has given us?   In this episode Jo and Steph discuss how we can seek out and pursue cultural diversity and the richness of perspectives that accompany it as individuals, churches and society as a whole.   First steps to grow in intercultural competence: 1. Seek relationships with people wh...

Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo: Twitter: @LeadStoriesVox Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Facebook: LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at: www.pastorsteph.com @pastorsteph Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com www.leadstoriesmedia.com...

Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo: Twitter: @LeadStoriesVox Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Facebook: LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at: www.pastorsteph.com @pastorsteph Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com www.leadstoriesmedia.com...

Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo: Twitter: @LeadStoriesVox Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Facebook: LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at: www.pastorsteph.com @pastorsteph Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com www.leadstoriesmedia.com...

Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo: Twitter: @LeadStoriesVox Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Facebook: LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at: www.pastorsteph.com @pastorsteph Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com www.leadstoriesmedia.com...

Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo: Twitter: @LeadStoriesVox Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Facebook: LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at: www.pastorsteph.com @pastorsteph Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com www.leadstoriesmedia.com...

Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo: Twitter: @LeadStoriesVox Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Facebook: LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at: www.pastorsteph.com @pastorsteph Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com www.leadstoriesmedia.com...

Racism is a curse, but diversity is a gift. How can we embrace that gift in the areas of influence that God has given us? In this episode Jo and Steph discuss how we can seek out and pursue cultural diversity and the richness of perspectives that accompany it as individuals, churches and society as a whole. First steps to grow in intercultural competence: 1. Seek relationships with people who are...