ServingLeaders Podcast

In this episode, Dave Wiedis interviews missionary Jim Rhodes, who provides lessons learned from 45 years of ministry leadership to encourage and equip leaders well. A personal recommendation from ServingLeaders Chief Operating Officer, Joe Bruni: “I love these episodes because Jim, with years of experience in ministry, shares some of the core principles for health and flourishing as a leader. Jim...

In this episode, we share a special interview of Dave Wiedis on what it means to be a spiritually healthy leader. This episode was aired on the "Fueled Pastoral Resilience" podcast hosted by Pastor Raphael Mnkandhla.  The Spiritually Healthy Leader: Finding Freedom from Self-Sabotage Fueled Pastoral Resilience podcast 

In this episode, we host a powerful panel conversation with three women in ministry roles: Erin Bahbah from ServingLeaders who is also a pastor’s wife, Rachel Short from 938 Church in West Chester who is a teaching pastor and counselor, and Jodie Merow from Christ Memorial Church who has decades of leadership in children’s ministry.  Together, we explore the unique (and sometime challenging) role...

In this episode, Dave and Laura sit down with Jimmy Dodd, founder of PastorServe, a ministry dedicated to helping pastors and leaders thrive. Jimmy unpacks the danger of isolation and the importance of living with integrity between “frontstage” and “backstage.” We explore the 6 key relationships every pastor needs to stay grounded, and how intentional openness and connection can strengthen healthy...

In this episode, we turn the conversation inward as we talk about disordered eating, body image, and the often-overlooked ways ministry leaders can neglect their own well-being while caring for others. Dave Wiedis sits down with co-host Laura Yoder—licensed professional counselor, registered dietitian, wellness coach, and spiritual director—to explore how unhealthy patterns with food and our bodie...

In this episode, we’re joined by Robb Holman—a globally recognized leadership expert, executive coach, and CEO of a leadership consultancy who has been named one of the world’s top leadership speakers. Bestselling author of Lessons from Abdul and other leadership books, Robb is known for his “Inside Out Leadership” approach, helping leaders grow from within to lead with purpose and authenticity. I...

“Loneliness is God’s grace in your life to bring you to the end of yourself” - Shelby Abbott.  In this compelling conversation, Shelby Abbott joins us to talk about his new book on loneliness — and why he believes loneliness can actually be a uniquely meaningful season in our walk with Jesus.  Together we explore why loneliness is universal yet uniquely intensified in leadership and ministry, how...

What are the gifts — and sometimes costs — to be a woman connected to ministry?  In this honest conversation, Sarah Gammage unpacks the hidden emotional load many pastors’ wives and ministry women carry. From the “one-legged stool” reality described in Resilient Ministry to navigating burnout, protecting marriage, raising kids in the spotlight, and walking through cancer in the spotlight of minist...

Ministry leaders are often exhausted — but most don’t know what to do with their fatigue beyond pushing through it. In this conversation, Brett Payne, founder of Rhythms for Life Ministry, unpacks the four types of fatigue, why most leaders rarely pause to know the difference, and the untapped freedom that comes from actually processing our weariness instead of ignoring it. Packed with practical w...

What if faithful leadership is less about having the right answers and more about asking the right questions? In this episode, J.R. Briggs joins us to explore how curiosity shapes spiritual formation, deepens relationships, and transforms the way leaders lead. Drawing from his newest work on asking better questions—and his honest reflections on failure, disillusionment, and resilience—J.R. invites...

In this episode, we sit down with Pastor Raphael Mnkandhla, Lead Pastor of City Church in Williamsport, PA, to hear the remarkable story of how God met him in profound loss and shaped him into a resilient shepherd. From growing up in Zimbabwe and working in AIDS-awareness ministry to navigating trauma, grief, and pastoral leadership, Raphael shares how suffering has deepened his compassion, clarif...

What does it look like to be fully present with people while juggling an energetic, growing ministry, family needs, and the endless demands of leadership? In this episode, Dave and Laura sit down with Pastor Phil Carnuccio, lead pastor of Providence Church in West Chester, PA, to explore what it means to be spiritually formed as a leader in ways that lead to healthy, fulfilling ministry without dr...

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year…sometimes. The holiday season can bring with it beautiful and sweet moments of joy and meaning. Yet it also opens the door to many other emotions, highlighting our grief, landing us in disappointment, increasing pressure, and exposing us to challenging relationships. In this special episode with Dave Wiedis, Penny Freeman, Jon Sovocool, and Laura Yo...

Worship leaders have a unique and crucial role in the church, but can often be unprepared for the spiritual and emotional challenges they face in a ministry that imposes multiple pressures, including the pressure to perform and be the instrument of growth in churches, along with unique tensions around identity. Under this burden, the worship leader is at greater and greater risk for burnout and em...

One of the most challenging things for a leader is raising up more leaders to join them, particularly within a church congregation. In this conversation, Dave and Laura sit down with Dr. John H. Wilson, author of The Nehemiah Way: Mobilize a Church Full of Leaders. In his book, Dr. John provides a powerful strategy for how to not only create greater collaboration within your church body, but also...

In this episode, Dave and Laura sit down with Dr. Phil Monroe to explore what it looks like for churches to navigate issues around sexual abuse in a healthy way…particularly when it happens in the church. We talk about some of the inherent pressures to stay silent about abuse issues, how to view these challenges as opportunities for greater ministry, and what exactly leaders can do to prevent and...

In this conversation Laura Yoder sits down with Sandy Lapp, an elder at ACTS Covenant Church to talk about navigating transitional seasons in life. Moving into something new, whether it is a desired change or an undesired change, brings with it both intense challenge and rich opportunity for growth and deepening. Although uncomfortable, these times have the potential to deepen our walk with Jesus...

In a time where it seems like almost everyone is looking for help for their mental health, how do you know if YOU might need professional support? And what kind of support do you need? It can be difficult to discern when “normal” stress or challenges become unhealthy…and even harder to ask for help or know where to turn. In this practical episode, Laura Yoder sits down with ServingLeaders Clinical...

In this episode, Dave and Laura sit down with Randy Wenger, a constitutional attorney on the front lines of litigating cases and protecting religious liberty, and Chief Counsel of the Independence Law Center in Harrisburg. In this conversation, we discuss the hopeful future of religious freedom, key cases paving the way for continued sharing of the Gospel, and why this matters for ministry leaders...

In this episode, Dave and Laura sit down with Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, founders of Soul Shepherding Institute to hear about their latest book “Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for You”. Order from Amazon here Soul Shepherding Institute Website

Conflict: do you love it or hate it? In this conversation, Dave Wiedis and Laura Yoder discuss how to navigate conflict in a healthy way and what that can look like in churches, organizations and families. Buy Dave's book here: On Amazon On New Growth Press Referenced in this episode: " How to Process Your Emotions to Revitalize Intimacy with Jesus: An Interview with Dave Wiedis "

In this episode, Dave and Laura sit down with world-renowned pyschologist Dr. Diane Langberg for a conversation around her newest book, "When the Church Harms God's People: Becoming Faith Communities that Resist Abuse, Pursue Truth and Care for the Wounded". They talk about what it really means to be the body of Christ, the dangers of unhealthy leadership and how to identify it in y...

Listen in on our conversation with Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, and Kelly Johnson on trusting God in the trajectory of their life, their marriage, and their leadership. We talk about their public life and faith, their covenant marriage, and how they have learned to surrender outcomes to God. Stay tuned after the episode while Dave and Laura debrief this conversation.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Penny Freeman, our Clinical Supervisor at ServingLeaders, to discuss the complex generational family dynamics that influence our lives. We talk about how to understand and have context for the differences and challenges we experience between us and our parents, grandparents, and children. We also talk about how to begin to change family dynamics over time and ho...

Do you believe in coincidence? Chance happenings? Listen to the story of Joe Watkins who served as a pastor, assistant to President George H.W. Bush, political commentator, actor, and TV show host and how seemingly serendipitous meetings propelled him into succession of fascinating careers and service to the Lord. Joe Watkins | State of Independence   Buy Dave's book here: On Amazon On New Gr...