The Rizzcast Podcast

An honest conversation about worship, justice, and refusing to build celebrity altars. In this episode, I sit down with Aaron Boyd to trace the unlikely path from a rainy Belfast upbringing to writing God Of The City in a Thai bar, and to unpack what it means to join worship and justice. Want to grow as a WORSHIP LEADER? Go here: https://shorturl.at/oqB6x Want to grow as a SONGWRITER? Go here: htt...

If you’ve ever left a meeting with someone feeling smaller than your calling, tempted to cancel or lessen your vision, and overwhelmed by someone else’s objections, this episode will steady you - and remind you that builders don’t stop at the wall. They look for the door. Want to grow as a WORSHIP LEADER? Go here: https://shorturl.at/oqB6x Want to grow as a SONGWRITER? Go here: https://shorturl.at...

A candid, hope-filled conversation with special guest Andy Squyres about grief, deconstruction, and rebuilding faith through honest art and everyday faithfulness. Want to grow as a WORSHIP LEADER?  Go here: https://shorturl.at/oqB6x Want to grow as a SONGWRITER?  Go here: https://shorturl.at/FQAnM ABOUT THIS EPISODE Worship music and the Christian industry can shape more than songs, they can shape...

A thoughtful, Scripture-anchored conversation about Christian storytelling, artistic imagination, and how faith-filled films can reach hearts beyond church walls.  Want to grow as a WORSHIP LEADER?  Go here: https://shorturl.at/oqB6x Want to grow as a SONGWRITER?  Go here: https://shorturl.at/FQAnM ABOUT THIS EPISODE Christian films and shows spark passionate conversations, and sometimes painful o...

A wide-ranging, honest conversation about creativity, faith, business, and why “safe” art often feels hollow. In this episode, we sit down with Josh Scott of JHS Pedals to explore lament in storytelling, empathy in leadership, brand-building from obscurity, and how integrity shapes everything from guitar pedals to nonprofit studios. CONNECT WITH JOSH https://www.instagram.com/joshuaheathscott PRE-...

A pastoral conversation about stillness, lament, and the unseen pressure shaping modern worship.  Want to grow as a WORSHIP LEADER?  Go here: https://shorturl.at/oqB6x Want to grow as a SONGWRITER?  Go here: https://shorturl.at/FQAnM ABOUT THIS EPISODE In an age of highlight reels, viral moments, and emotional spectacle, worship leaders are carrying more pressure than ever before. Pressure to move...

A direct, honest conversation about faith, obedience, and the danger of hyper-spiritualizing our decisions. In this episode, we explore waiting on God, discernment vs. fear, obedience without guarantees, and how clarity often comes after movement, not before. Want to grow as a WORSHIP LEADER?  Go here: https://shorturl.at/oqB6x Want to grow as a SONGWRITER?  Go here: https://shorturl.at/FQAnM ABOU...

A raw, honest conversation with Caleb Edwards on faith, deconstruction, responsibility, and reclaiming personal agency. In this episode, we talk candidly about creativity, entrepreneurship, calling, money, and why so many people walk away from faith not because God failed, but because unresolved expectations and misplaced blame went unaddressed. Want to grow as a WORSHIP LEADER?  Go here: https://...

Starving is a choice, not an artistic requirement. That single phrase from Jeff Goins’ book Real Artists Don’t Starve completely changed my life after 15 years as a worship pastor. For too long, I believed the false story that pursuing creative work meant living in financial struggle, that passion and provision could never coexist. But history proves otherwise. Michelangelo, Shakespeare, and C.S....

What happens when God calls you away from the very success you've worked your whole life to achieve? For Jesse Reeves, co-writer of worship anthems like "How Great Is Our God," "I Speak Jesus," and "Lord I Need You," that question became the defining challenge of his faith journey. After 17 years of touring with Chris Tomlin, playing to packed arenas, and helping...

Songwriting doesn’t have to be a lonely grind, at the Journey Songwriting Retreat, you’ll find the power of co-writing, grow faster, and find a community that turns your ideas into songs that carry God’s heart. Your voice matters. Your songs matter. And this could be the moment you finally give them the space to come alive. 👉 Space is limited, so if this speaks to you, email me at justin@justinri...

Matt and Justin on IHOPKC, the Cost of 24/7 Prayer, and Finding Purpose in Pain Matt Gilman and Justin Rizzo reflect on their years at IHOPKC and the beauty and cost of 24/7 prayer.  They talk about the emotional and spiritual toll of prolonged ministry, unpacking how bitterness can quietly grow in silence and how isolation during pain often leads to destructive conclusions. Also part of the discu...

The semantics of sacred space has sparked heated debate among worship leaders and churchgoers alike. Are we standing on a "stage" or an "altar"? Does the terminology matter when hearts are surrendered? Support the show ▶️ ABOUT Justin Rizzo is a worship leader, songwriter, and filmmaker. He is passionate about authentic worship and creativity, focused on bringing glory to Jesus...

Creative isolation might be the most common struggle that most creatives face.  Whether you're leading worship at a megachurch with hundreds of musicians or creating solo from your home studio, the absence of true creative community can leave you feeling adrift and uninspired. When you make all your decisions in isolation, it can become incredibly challenging and often leads to stagnation of...

Get early access to my brand-new course, the Worship Leader Artist Accelerator: https://shorturl.at/XQ31s Ever been told that it's more spiritual to be "nameless and faceless"?  What began as a seemingly innocent call to humility decades ago grew and transformed into a powerful control mechanism.  "Stay faithful, stay steady, and above all, stay small" became the unspoken...

How do you develop "creative grit" and the resilience needed for long-term success in any creative field? Whether you're a worship leader, entrepreneur, artist, or creative professional feeling stuck, this conversation offers the practical tools and mindset shifts needed to develop lasting creative resilience. Follow Jordan Marcotte on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanamar...

I’ve led worship for over 10,000 hours.  I don’t say that to impress you, but to impress upon you that I’ve made a ton of mistakes, and I want to help you avoid them. I am so excited to introduce my brand new book The Ultimate Worship Team Field Guide to you.  GET YOUR COPY TODAY: https://shorturl.at/jEw9y My heart in writing this was simple: to encourage, equip, and empower worship leaders like y...

What happens when we're stuck between waiting for God's clear direction and taking initiative? Many Christians default to "I'll pray about it" mode, convinced that waiting is always the more spiritual choice. But what if sometimes God is waiting on us to make a move? We dive into biblical examples that support both approaches. From Genesis 1:28 where God gives humans autho...

Why do so many wildly talented creative people struggle financially? The answer might not be what you expect. Creativity isn't enough. You need clarity. An abundance of creative ideas without the clarity to focus them can be exactly what's keeping brilliant artists, entrepreneurs, worship leaders, or visionaries broke. The episode reveals five reasons creative people stay financially cha...

Candid conversation with one of Justin’s best friends, Matt Gilman. This episode is raw, refreshing, and full of wisdom for anyone navigating their calling as a creative. Support the show ▶️ ABOUT Justin Rizzo is a worship leader, songwriter, and filmmaker. He is passionate about authentic worship and creativity, focused on bringing glory to Jesus. Justin also dedicates himself to raising up and c...

What happens when a worship pastor of 15 years suddenly steps away from ministry with no backup plan?  Jordan Marcotte's remarkable story reveals the unexpected journey from spiritual crisis to entrepreneurial success, demonstrating how embracing your complete identity can transform both business and life. Follow Jordan Marcotte on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanamarcotte Support...

"Pray specific prayers and you will get specific answers." This profound statement from George Mueller, a 19th-century pastor who documented over 50,000 answered prayers, has become a transformative principle for my family's faith journey. This isn't about treating God like a cosmic vending machine. Scripture provides clear parameters. The goal isn't selfish gain but stewa...

We don't want to build for identity, but rather from identity. Justin and Jordan discuss the difference between building and creating from a secure sense of self versus frantically creating to establish worth. Follow Jordan Marcotte on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanamarcotte Support the show ▶️ ABOUT Justin Rizzo is a worship leader, songwriter, and filmmaker. He is passionate ab...

Is songwriting a hobby or a calling?  In this episode, I break down four essential pathways for growth as a songwriter.  What truly holds most songwriters back isn't lack of talent but lack of diligence. We explore the common lies that undermine consistent writing.  Want to grow as a SONGWRITER?  Go here: https://shorturl.at/iXXek  Support the show ▶️ ABOUT Justin Rizzo is a worship leader, s...

There is a new frontier of missions today - screens and stages. Justin shares the vulnerable and exciting next season for Firelight Creative Productions.  Firelight exists to fight for truth on the frontlines of the entertainment industry and is stepping into its boldest chapter yet.  With screens and stages as today’s mission field, the vision is clear—create truth-centered stories that awaken he...