ReLeader with Dr. Jon Chasteen

Trying to keep everyone happy is exhausting. In this episode of The ReLeader Podcast, Jon talks about the emotional pressure leaders carry, how fear quietly affects leadership, and why so many leaders end up hiding who they really are. Jon unpacks several signs fear may be shaping your leadership more than you realize, from replaying criticism constantly to feeling responsible for everyone’s emoti...

In this episode, Jon shares how one unexpected text that completely shifted his mindset during a discouraging week, and what it revealed about leadership. Most leaders think they have a performance problem when in reality, they have an encouragement problem. Research shows people don’t disengage because of workload alone; they disengage when they feel unseen. Jon unpacks the silent cost of a cultu...

ReLeader.co ReLeader Book You Didn’t Start the Fire, But You Still Smell Like Smoke In this episode Jon explores a challenge many ReLeaders face but don’t always understand at first: stepping into leadership after someone who left damage behind. The fire may be out, but the smoke is still in the air. Using the analogy of campfire smoke, Jon explains why teams often continue reacting long after unh...

In this episode, Jon Chasteen sits down with Kevin Queen, Senior Pastor of CrossPoint Church in Nashville, for an honest conversation about the real-world weight of leadership. They unpack the hidden challenges of stepping into an existing church — from relational grief and emotional pressure to the role of prayer and fasting in steadying your calling. Kevin shares his journey from 12Stone Church...

Dr. Nick Floyd is the Lead Pastor of Cross Church with multiple campuses in NW Arkansas. He is a ReLeader who has picked up the mantle of a large church that was founded in 1870. In this conversation, Nick and Jon Chasteen talk about what it’s really like to carry weight you didn’t create, the emotional toll leadership can take, and why staying healthy isn’t optional if you want to last. They get...

This is an unedited, unfiltered conversation with Aaron Kennedy. No script. No notes. No clock. No cleanup. No cutting around uncomfortable moments. Aaron and Jon Chasteen talk openly about leadership, faith, pressure, doubt, calling, and the things leaders usually keep to themselves. Nothing here is polished. Nothing here is packaged. It’s just a real conversation.

In today’s episode, Jon talks about one of the most underrated tools in leadership: Consistency. Drawing from history and real-life leadership experience, he explores why the silence that comes after the honeymoon phase may not be failure, but trust, stability, and cultural health. If the applause has stopped and leadership feels quiet, this episode will help you reframe what consistency really is...

This is the second half of a two-part series on the things leaders need to unlearn in order to lead with clarity, health, and confidence. If you missed Part 1, pause this and go back — it sets up the whole framework. In this episode, we look at the final three Unlearnings: Unlearn Old Metrics of SuccessUnlearn the Desire to Lead Like Your Predecessor Unlearn Survival Mode These three hit leaders e...

Leadership is usually framed around what we need to learn — new books, new tools, new strategies. But the longer I lead, the more I’m convinced that some of the biggest breakthroughs come from what we’re willing to unlearn. In this first episode of a two-part series, I walk through the first four things leaders must release if they want to grow in a healthy way:Unlearn the Need to Prove YourselfUn...

In this episode, Jon breaks down what it means to be the “doctor” of the organization you’ve inherited. ReLeading is less like raising a child and more like adopting an adult with pre-existing conditions, and the first step is always a diagnosis. Jon walks through five health metaphors—cardiovascular health, high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, and obesity—to show how hidden issues in culture...

In this episode, Jon shares four moments in leadership that almost took him out. He opens up about battling self-doubt, carrying the pressure of expectations, leading without enough resources, and realizing that a mindset of lack had slowly taken over. Now eleven years into his role, Jon reflects on what nearly broke him, how he got through it, and why he’s still leading today. If you’ve ever felt...

Instinct got you through the wilderness, but it won’t get you into the Promised Land. In this episode, Jon Chasteen unpacks the critical shift every ReLeader must make: from leading by instinct to leading with intention. Jon shares his personal wake-up call, realizing that frustration with systems, staff, or culture often pointed back to his own leadership failures. Drawing from Joshua’s transitio...

Most leaders are wired to start things. But what if the most powerful thing you could do as a leader isn’t to start something new — it’s to stop something old? In this episode, Jon Chasteen unpacks The Power to Stop — a countercultural principle that every ReLeader eventually has to learn. Using Michelangelo’s sculpture of David as a metaphor, Jon explores how greatness is often revealed not by wh...

Every ReLeader faces the same internal questions: Who am I to lead this? Do I have what it takes? What if I’m not enough? In this episode, Jon Chasteen unpacks the calling of Moses in Exodus 3 and shows how God answers those very questions—not by listing tasks, but by affirming identity, revealing capacity, and supplying sufficiency. If you’re leading something you didn’t start, this episode will...

Ever felt overwhelmed stepping into a new leadership role? You're not alone! Join Jon Chasteen as he talks with Ben Kendrew, Lead Pastor at Arise Church in New Zealand, about finding confidence amidst uncertainty. Ben shares practical insights on navigating leadership challenges, overcoming imposter syndrome, and remaining authentic even in tough times. Discover how difficult seasons are often...

In this episode, Jon Chasteen unpacks the often misunderstood concept of meekness in leadership. 🤔 Drawing from the words of Jesus about John the Baptist and the disciples, he explores how true strength is found in restraint and service—not in overpowering others. 💪 With insights for business leaders, pastors, and even dads, Jon challenges us to rethink what it means to lead with authority and k...

Nobody likes to wait—but what if your waiting season is actually preparing you for something greater? In this message, Jon Chasteen unpacks the  hidden power of patience , revealing how it’s not just a virtue, but a  Godly gain . Discover why the biggest callings often require the longest waits, and how God uses patience to build your strength, increase your capacity, and prepare you for takeoff....

In this episode, I open up about a recent, deep stirring I’ve felt to ReLead in a place where I’ve already been leading for 10 years. It’s a vulnerable moment for me because, after so much time in the same role, you get comfortable with the way things are. But sometimes, God begins to nudge us, pushing us to shake things up and disrupt the norms we've grown used to. What does it really feel li...

In this episode, Jon introduces his fresh, unfiltered podcast format—ditching the polished production for a raw, personal approach. Dive in as he explores a crucial question: Who is really king in your organization? Plus, discover the three pitfalls that every leader crowned as "king" is bound to stumble over. Don’t miss this candid conversation that’s as real as it gets!

Welcome back, ReLeaders! In this episode, Jon Chastain dives into the unique challenges of stepping into leadership roles where the groundwork has already been laid—but often with cracks that need mending. From navigating the complexities of inheriting a church after a moral failure to rebuilding trust and creating a new culture, Jon shares invaluable insights alongside Carey Nieuwhof. Tune in as...

Welcome Back ReLeaders Life Languages is a communication assessment tool that helps individuals understand their own communication style and how to effectively connect with others. It identifies seven different communication languages, each with its own filter question, driving passion, need from others, and key character strength. The four keys to success in communication are answering the filter...

This conversation explores the role of second chair leaders in organizations and the challenges they face. The guests, Wade Smith and Dr. Rhonda Davis, share their experiences working as second chair leaders and offer insights into building trust, managing tensions, and navigating change. They discuss the importance of knowing the heart of the leader, understanding their rhythms, and effectively c...

Welcome Back ReLeaders In this episode, Jon Chasteen discusses how to lead through challenging times when everything is not okay and everyone knows it. He shares five keys to leading through the 'suck': be real, show hope, create structure, deal with dissent, and inspire commitment. He uses examples from the story of Nehemiah to illustrate these principles. Burnom emphasizes the importance of ackn...

In this episode of the ReLeader, Jon Chasteen is joined by his partners in leading Victory Church, Pastor Oscar Ortiz and Pastor Wade. They discuss their journey as Releaders and reminisce about the challenges they faced when they first took on their roles. They talk about the importance of building a strong team and supporting each other through the ups and downs. They also reflect on the pressur...

In this episode, Dr. Jon Chasteen discusses the importance of scoreboards in organizations and the need to define what a win looks like. He emphasizes the need to communicate wins and celebrate them with the team and stakeholders. He also encourages leaders to focus on shooting layups or achieving small wins, rather than always aiming for big goals. He highlights the impact of small wins in buildi...