Leadership & Other Stuff with Brian Houston

Leadership isn't just about vision, growth, and success, it's also about navigating challenges that no classroom, textbook, or mentor can fully prepare you for. In this episode of Leadership & Other Stuff , Pastor Brian Houston shares seven hard-earned lessons learned through decades of leadership. From the pressure to compromise your convictions and the loneliness of difficult decisions, to handl...

Leadership comes with blessing, growth, and impact, but it also comes with hurt, betrayal, disappointment, and relational fallout. In this deeply personal episode of Leadership & Other Stuff , Pastor Brian Houston explores what it means to lead with a right spirit when people wound, misrepresent, or turn against you. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 5:19, he shares practical and spiritual insights on ho...

10 Things That Will Halt Progress in Any Organization Why do some organizations grow with momentum while others get stuck in frustration, confusion, and stagnation? In this episode of Leadership & Other Stuff, Pastor Brian Houston unpacks 10 common leadership traps that can quietly stop progress in any church, business, or organization.   From endless meetings and indecision to bureaucracy, disuni...

Leadership comes with incredible highs, but also real lows that few people talk about. In this episode of Leadership & Other Stuff , Pastor Brian Houston unpacks the  discouragement, pressure, loneliness, and unmet expectations that often come with leading over time. Drawing from Psalm 142 and personal experience, he speaks to the moments when leaders feel overwhelmed, overlooked, and even like no...

In Part 3 of this ongoing leadership series, Pastor Brian Houston continues the conversation on one of the most critical issues facing churches today: governance, authority, and the role of church boards.   Drawing on more than five decades of ministry experience, Pastor Brian shares real-life examples of pastors removed by boards, churches thrown into crisis, and the often unseen dynamics that sh...

In Part 2 of this important leadership conversation, Pastor Brian Houston goes deeper into the question every church founder and senior pastor must wrestle with:  Who is really in charge? Speaking directly to church planters, pioneers, and long-term lead pastors, Pastor Brian unpacks the warning signs of a church shifting from being  board-governed to board-controlled . From curbing pastoral autho...

In this episode of Leadership & Other Stuff , Pastor Brian Houston speaks directly to church founders, planters, senior pastors, and pioneers about one of the most critical, and often misunderstood areas of leadership: church governance and boards. Drawing from over 50 years of firsthand experience serving on boards, leading executives, and planting churches around the world, Brian asks a confront...

In this episode of Leadership & Other Stuff with Brian Houston, Pastor Brian unpacks seven seemingly simple decisions that can shape not only your future, but the future of generations to come. Drawing from decades of leadership, ministry, and life experience, Pastor Brian challenges the idea that decisions are ever "small" when the consequences are great. Through the framework of Who, Where, What...

Rebuke is rarely welcomed, but according to Scripture, it may be one of the greatest gifts a leader can give or receive.   In this episode of Leadership & Other Stuff, Pastor Brian Houston tackles the often-avoided subject of rebuke and reveals why wise correction, received with an obedient ear, is pure gold. Drawing from Proverbs 25:12, decades of leadership experience, and personal stories from...

Pastor David Blunt sits down with Pastor Brian Houston to unpack calling, resilience, marketplace ministry, forgiveness, and team building. Discover why you shouldn't just live saved. Live called. Learn how heart beats talent when building teams, why your work is worship in the marketplace, and how leaders can walk out forgiveness without carrying a wounded spirit. Brian also shares governance les...

In this episode of Leadership & Other Stuff , Pastor Brian Houston explores the way leaders see and how their vision shapes everything they do. Drawing from Scripture, personal experiences, and timeless leadership lessons, Pastor Brian unpacks the importance of hindsight, foresight, and insight in guiding people and organizations. He explains why short-sighted decisions can limit growth, how fores...

How to Make Your Church the Best Church in the World In this inspiring and deeply practical episode, Pastor Brian Houston shares timeless principles on what truly makes a church flourish—not from the top down, but from the inside out. Drawing on over 40 years of pastoral experience, Pastor Brian explores how every believer can actively contribute to creating a church that feels like the best churc...

In this insightful and personal episode, Pastor Brian Houston unpacks  ten powerful influences every leader needs to thrive, grow, and endure through the seasons of life and leadership. With a mix of biblical wisdom, personal stories, and decades of ministry experience, Pastor Brian shares the kinds of people and environments that shape a strong leader. From the importance of a mentor who truly be...

In this follow-up to a powerful conversation on preaching and teaching culture, Pastor Brian Houston dives into  Part 2 of the 30 foundational principles that shaped the communication culture at Hillsong Church. This episode is packed with practical wisdom for preachers, teachers, and communicators —from the importance of delivering messages with confidence and humility to understanding the balanc...

In this insightful and practical episode, Pastor Brian Houston dives into the foundational culture of preaching and teaching that helped shape Hillsong Church over decades of ministry. Drawing from a landmark talk he once gave to his staff, Pastor Brian shares the first 15 of 30 principles that guided the platform at Hillsong — principles designed not only for his team, but for any communicator wa...

  In this thought-provoking episode of Leadership & Other Stuff , Pastor Brian Houston unpacks what might be one of the most countercultural ideas in leadership today: the power of being beautifully boring . Drawing inspiration from Solomon's unexpected prayer for wisdom over wealth, fame, or power, Brian challenges leaders to reconsider what truly brings lasting influence and divine blessing. Wit...

In the powerful conclusion of Pastor Brian Houston's candid conversation with Pastor Jonathan Shuttlesworth, this episode dives into ministry, marriage, leadership, loyalty, and what it really takes to go the distance in both life and calling. From hilarious commentary to deep insights on building lasting ministry impact, this episode balances humor, honesty, and heart. Pastor Jonathan and Brian d...

In Part 2 of this dynamic 3-part interview, Pastor Brian Houston continues his in-depth conversation with Pastor Jonathan Shuttlesworth offering rare insights into the mindset, moments, and ministry decisions that shaped one of the most influential church movements of our time.   This episode goes far beyond surface-level leadership talk. Pastor Brian opens up about the internal shifts that change...

In this powerful first installment of a special three-part interview on Leadership and Other Stuff with Brian Houston , Pastor Jonathan Shuttlesworth sits down with Pastor Brian for an unfiltered conversation about ministry, leadership, and what it truly means to obtain the promises of God. From receiving his call to ministry as a 5-year-old in New Zealand to planting churches across Australia, Pa...

In this powerful follow-up to last week's episode, Pastor Brian continues his honest reflection on what it means to fall—and what comes after. Using the Humpty Dumpty metaphor, he opens up about his own very public leadership failure, the personal and spiritual cost, and the journey toward healing. He shares candidly about the pain of isolation, the impact on his family, and the challenge of forgi...

In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode of Leadership & Other Stuff, Pastor Brian Houston steps into vulnerability with raw honesty. Drawing from the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty, Pastor Brian unpacks what it means to fall—publicly, painfully, and as a leader. Pastor Brian shares lessons learned the hard way. He reflects on the fallout of failure: humiliation, the torture of what might have b...

In this deeply personal and practical episode, Pastor Brian Houston reflects on the inevitable pressures that come with leadership—and life itself.  Drawing on Scripture, lived experience, and candid stories from his own journey, Pastor Brian unpacks what it means to be a stressed leader—and how to avoid becoming a distressed one. From embracing pressure to understanding your limits, identifying s...

In this episode of Leadership & Other Stuff , Pastor Brian Houston takes us straight to the heart of one of the most overlooked but deeply rooted issues that can hinder any team—the sinful nature. Whether you're leading in ministry, business, or any collaborative environment, Pastor Brian breaks down why the greatest challenge facing your team isn't strategy, talent, or vision—it's us. Drawing fro...

Welcome to the relaunch of my leadership podcast, now called "Leadership & Other Stuff with Brian Houston." In this relaunch episode, I discuss the impact of insecurity on leadership potential and practical ways to overcome these obstacles. In this episode, we cover: The story of King Saul and how his insecurity sabotaged his leadership. The traits of an insecure leader and how they can hinder suc...

Brian Houston is the Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church. Our hope and prayer is that you'll be encouraged, blessed and inspired through these free podcasts. You can find more information and other resources by Pastor Brian at brianchouston.com