The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast
Art of Leadership Network
The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast is a podcast all about leadership, change and personal growth. The goal? To help you lead like never before—in your church or in your business.
Carey interviews top business and church leaders like Seth Godin, Adam Grant, Nancy Duarte, Simon Sinek, Cal Newport, Patrick Lencioni, Tim Keller, Annie F. Downs, Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel, Rob Pelinka, Michael Hyatt, Christine Caine, John Mark Comer, Henry Cloud, Gordon MacDonald, Francis Chan, Lysa TerKeurst, Ian Morgan Cron and many more.
For insightful posts on leadership, change and personal growth, episode transcripts and podcast show notes, go to https://careynieuwhof.com/.
Carey interviews top business and church leaders like Seth Godin, Adam Grant, Nancy Duarte, Simon Sinek, Cal Newport, Patrick Lencioni, Tim Keller, Annie F. Downs, Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel, Rob Pelinka, Michael Hyatt, Christine Caine, John Mark Comer, Henry Cloud, Gordon MacDonald, Francis Chan, Lysa TerKeurst, Ian Morgan Cron and many more.
For insightful posts on leadership, change and personal growth, episode transcripts and podcast show notes, go to https://careynieuwhof.com/.
Episodes
Mentioned books
106 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 1h 20min
CNLP 785 | Patrick Lencioni Opens Up About His Dark Night of the Soul, How Work Can Heal You, And Leading Next Gen Leaders
Patrick Lencioni, founder of The Table Group and bestselling leadership author, shares a candid mini-bio and recent five-month sabbatical. He talks about how work can be a place of healing. He explores vulnerability, mentoring next-gen leaders, integrating whole-person leadership, and how personal wounds shape leadership.
83 snips
Feb 10, 2026 • 1h 34min
CNLP 784 | Leadership is NOT Lonely! Henry Cloud on Founderitis and Why You're More In Control Than You Think
Henry Cloud, clinical psychologist and leadership expert known for bestselling books on leadership and boundaries, tackles why leadership should not be lonely. He explores founderitis and why leaders cling too long. He argues leaders have more control than they think. He outlines practical steps for building responsibility, avoiding overreach, and creating honest support networks.
35 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 1h 46min
CNLP 783 | Are We Too Critical Of the Church? John Crist Returns to Talk Cynicism, Hope, and Getting the Tonight Show
John Crist, stand-up comedian and podcaster known for clean, observational comedy and a Tonight Show appearance. He talks about cynicism toward the church and whether critique has gone too far. He breaks down what it takes to get on The Tonight Show and how life changes have reshaped his comedy.
107 snips
Jan 29, 2026 • 1h 40min
CNLP 782 | The Problem of Mini-Celebrity Pastors: Les McKeown on Growth Barriers for Church Leaders
Les McKeown, founder and CEO of Predictable Success and author on organizational growth, tackles the rise of mini-celebrity pastors and how founder-centric leadership limits church scaling. He explores lifecycle stages, the whitewater complexity point, why leaders must move from doing to team-building, and practical steps to disentangle personal brand from organizational health.
196 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 1h 33min
CNLP 781 | John Mark Comer Goes to the Desert, Clarifies Where He Stands, and Deep Dives on a Major Challenge for Modern Discipleship
John Mark Comer, author and teacher known for Practicing the Way, recounts a 21-day silent desert retreat and what deep solitude taught him. He tackles how noise and distraction undermine discipleship. He clarifies his theological stance, reflects on pastoral transitions, and explores why quieter, historical practices are drawing people back to faith.
94 snips
Jan 20, 2026 • 1h 52min
CNLP 780 | Are You Clear Enough to Reach The Next Generation? The New Rules of Cultural Influence with YouTuber Ruslan KD
Ruslan KD, a YouTuber and former pastor, shares insights on connecting with the next generation through digital content. He emphasizes the need for clarity from church leaders on cultural issues, warning that ambiguity can lead to misunderstandings. Ruslan discusses the importance of engaging with contemporary events and the role of YouTube in ministry. He also explores how young men are increasingly drawn back to church, seeking purpose and guidance. Additionally, he provides practical tips for combating distractions and promoting healthy masculinity.
30 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 1h 33min
CNLP 779 | Preaching at A Rave: Luke LeFevre + Daniel McLeod on Gen Z's Bold Faith and How to Use Gen Z's Gifts at Your Church
Join younger-generation pastor Luke LeFevre, known for unconventional outreach like preaching at raves, and Daniel McLeod, founder of Jesus Mission, as they explore the boldness of Gen Z's faith. They discuss a surge in church attendance fueled by Gen Z's hunger for authenticity and direct messaging. The duo shares insights on empowering young leaders, addressing mental health crises, and the appeal of ancient traditions in a modern context. Discover how churches can engage this dynamic generation with real responsibility and support.
157 snips
Jan 13, 2026 • 1h 31min
CNLP 778 | Tapping the Brakes on The Talk of Revival: David Kinnaman Nuances What's Happening with Christianity in America + Digital Discipleship
In this engaging discussion, David Kinnaman, CEO of the Barna Group, dives deep into the state of Christianity in America. He reveals that while overall church attendance is declining, Gen Z men are surprisingly returning to faith. They explore changing attendance patterns, including a rise in young adults and a decline in women's volunteering. David emphasizes the importance of churches as learning communities and advocates for innovative digital outreach, while also warning of the challenges technology poses to genuine relationships.
88 snips
Jan 6, 2026 • 31min
CNLP 777 | 2026 Disruptive Church Trends: Gen Z Leading Church Attendance Surge, Women Exiting Faith, + The Impact of Discipleship By Algorithm
Discover the seven disruptive church trends shaping the future. Gen Z is leading a resurgence in church attendance, while women are increasingly leaving the faith. Bold new evangelism tactics, including social media and campus movements, are emerging. Intriguingly, algorithm-driven discipleship is creating polarization and complicating pastoral leadership. With aging pastors facing recruitment challenges, the church must also prepare for AI's looming impact on society. Buckle up for an insightful exploration of faith in a rapidly changing world!
66 snips
Dec 30, 2025 • 1h 23min
CNLP 776 | Small Church Dysfunction: David Ashcraft Talks about Growth at LCBC, Succession and Growing the Global Leadership Summit
David Ashcraft, a longtime senior pastor who transformed LCBC into a multi-site congregation of 22,000, chats about the challenges of small church dysfunction. He shares insights on scaling a congregation, including adopting a multi-site model and the importance of a clear vision. David also discusses succession planning for leadership transitions, emphasizing transparency and emotional preparation. As he takes on leadership with the Global Leadership Network, he reflects on the value of live events and the importance of authenticity in fundraising.
