Holy Shift
Holy Shift with Collin Mayjack
Nobody goes to seminary to become an ex-pastor. It wasn't a part of the plan, and there's no roadmap.
We’re rebuilding our lives and careers from scratch. No one should have to take that journey alone… and that's why we're building Holy Shift.
Holy Shift is a podcast for ex-pastors and ministry leaders navigating life and work after ministry.
Tune in every other week for honest stories, experiences, and advice from ex-pastors who've made the career jump.
Hosted by Collin Mayjack
We’re rebuilding our lives and careers from scratch. No one should have to take that journey alone… and that's why we're building Holy Shift.
Holy Shift is a podcast for ex-pastors and ministry leaders navigating life and work after ministry.
Tune in every other week for honest stories, experiences, and advice from ex-pastors who've made the career jump.
Hosted by Collin Mayjack
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 2, 2025 • 54min
#24 - The Dark Side of Ministry with Steve Pyfrom
Steve Pyfrom, former pastor and now Head of Strategy and Sales at The Nine, reflects on leaving ministry and life after church. He discusses the long, painful journey out, how ministry can feed ego, and the toll it takes on family. He also explores attending a church he once served and choosing informal ways to serve without a title.
Jun 4, 2025 • 1h 5min
#23 - Honesty, inclusion, and self acceptance with Emily Arnold (Saddleback Church, The Speaker Lab)
Emily Arnold, former Saddleback ministry leader and current community manager at The Speaker Lab, shares her journey from worship leading to building online community. She discusses translating ministry skills to new careers. She talks about identity shifts, ethical tensions in church roles, and finding relief and belonging after leaving ministry.
May 7, 2025 • 51min
#22 - The Cost of Growth at All Costs with David Royall (Subsplash)
David Royall, a pastor-turned-product-marketer who left ministry after a decade, shares his journey from church leadership to tech. He discusses a growth-at-all-costs culture, how that mindset impacted staff and families, the moment his wife helped him see the dysfunction, and what life and career look like after stepping away.
21 snips
Apr 23, 2025 • 1h 3min
#21 - "I'm being paid to not change my mind" with Brian Recker
Brian Recker, writer and ex-pastor now author of Hellbent, shares his journey out of legalistic ministry and into a spirituality rooted in love. He talks about political awakening, the financial and emotional costs of leaving pastoral life, and how disappointment reshaped his identity. He also discusses finding new communities, creative work, and the tradeoffs of writing and family life.
8 snips
Apr 9, 2025 • 32min
#20 - Purpose, lost time, and life after ministry (an Ask Me Anything with Collin)
A candid Q and A about finding purpose after leaving ministry. Conversations on making peace with years spent in pastoral work. Practical tips for translating ministry skills into new careers. Honest talk about grief, anger, and how doors eventually reopen.
19 snips
Mar 12, 2025 • 1h 11min
#19 - "Go ahead and waste your life" with Andy Squyres
Andy Squyres, writer and singer-songwriter who moved from worship ministry into candid essays, reflects on faith and the costs of seeking the extraordinary. He talks about leaving ministry, how evangelical language fails at suffering, choosing an ordinary life of local ties, and keeping faith without cynicism.
10 snips
Feb 19, 2025 • 51min
#18 - When Narcissism Comes to Church with Chuck DeGroat (Author, Therapist)
Chuck DeGroat, therapist and seminary professor who writes on spiritual abuse and healing. He defines narcissism in church life and lists signs of narcissistic leadership. He contrasts narcissistic leaders with narcissistic systems and explores why people stay. He also outlines paths for stepping away and beginning recovery after harm.
13 snips
Feb 5, 2025 • 1h 6min
#17 - I Kissed Ministry Goodbye with Joshua Harris
Joshua Harris, author and former pastor who wrote I Kissed Dating Goodbye, shares his journey leaving pastoral ministry and rethinking long-held beliefs. He talks about how counseling and seminary shifted his sense of calling. He describes translating ministry skills to marketplace work and the difficulty of changing your mind publicly. He reflects on compassion for former versions of himself.
Feb 4, 2025 • 1h 13min
#15 - Speak Up or Stay Quiet? with Joseph Peterson (Fohrm Studio)
Joseph Peterson, founder of Fohrm Studio and former pastor, shares his journey leaving ministry and building creative work and community projects like Commoners. He recounts leadership conflicts, the pain of abrupt exits and NDAs, and the practical wisdom of planning quiet transitions. He also explains starting a studio and creating spaces for open-faith conversation.
12 snips
Jan 22, 2025 • 57min
#16 - From YWAM to IHOP to Real Estate with Candace Hagen
Candace Hagen, a Seattle real estate agent and former ministry leader with YWAM and IHOP experience. She recounts leaving ministry and starting a marketplace career. Hear stories about life in Seattle, doubts that led to her exit, the grief and rebuilding that followed, why she chose real estate, and practical lessons on marketing, mentorship, and pivoting careers.
