Leading Second Podcast
Brandon Stewart
A monthly podcast to help church leaders thrive in the second chair.
Leading Second exists to equip local churches everywhere to raise up UNCOMMON leaders. In a culture that often celebrates individual achievement and being on top, Leading Second is here to raise up the kind of leaders every pastor would kill to have on the team. Leaders who are all-in, heart and soul for Jesus, His Church, and their team’s mission. In an ever changing world, we have conversations in real-time with pastors and leaders on topics such as church leadership, leading when you’re not in charge, healthy team culture, and how to lead in the second chair. To learn more, visit leadingsecond.com.
Leading Second exists to equip local churches everywhere to raise up UNCOMMON leaders. In a culture that often celebrates individual achievement and being on top, Leading Second is here to raise up the kind of leaders every pastor would kill to have on the team. Leaders who are all-in, heart and soul for Jesus, His Church, and their team’s mission. In an ever changing world, we have conversations in real-time with pastors and leaders on topics such as church leadership, leading when you’re not in charge, healthy team culture, and how to lead in the second chair. To learn more, visit leadingsecond.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 3, 2025 • 42min
Leading with Staying Power ft. Brandon Catoe | S8 Ep. 202
Trusting God’s timing isn’t always easy, especially when our desire for security clashes with the call to obedience. But longevity in ministry is built on faithfulness over the long haul - choosing to stay the course even when the future feels uncertain. In this episode, Brandon sits down with Joseph Kelley (Discovery Church, Oklahoma City, OK) and Brandon Catoe (Christ Fellowship Church, West Palm Beach, FL) to talk about the tension between waiting and stepping out in faith. When we learn to pause, pray, and trust, we often find that what God has ahead is bigger and better than we imagined. Faithfulness today leads to an impact that lasts a lifetime.We've created an Episode Guide for you to follow along with the conversation, find discussion questions to use with your team, and discover additional resources to help you take your second-chair leadership to the next-level. Download this free resource at leadingsecond.com/podcast
Mar 27, 2025 • 35min
The Empowered Leader ft. Ken Hester | S8 Ep. 201
In our leadership journeys, we often encounter moments of uncertainty about our roles and the extent of our empowerment. This conversation delves into the heart of these challenges, reminding us that clarity is indeed king. Brandon, Jodi Cameron (Champions Centre, Tacoma, WA), Joseph Kelley (Discovery Church, Oklahoma City, OK), and Ken Hester (LifeFamily Church, Austin, TX) remind us that, just as Jesus spent time with His disciples, teaching through proximity and example, we too can grow in our leadership through a process of continuous learning and development.We've created an Episode Guide for you to follow along with the conversation, find discussion questions to use with your team, and discover additional resources to help you take your second-chair leadership to the next-level. Download this free resource at leadingsecond.com/podcast
Mar 20, 2025 • 32min
200th Episode Special | S8 Ep. 200
This podcast episode celebrates the 200th episode of Leading Second, focusing on the importance and dignity of second chair leadership in ministry. Brandon, Tracy Keene from StrongPoint Church in Columbus, OH; Dillon and Leydanis Ritchie along with their pastor, Jason Warman, from CoastLife Church in Venice FL; and Dan Lord from Gracelife Chapel in St. Louis, MO; reflect on leading in an uncommon way from the second chair.We've created an Episode Guide for you to follow along with the conversation, find discussion questions to use with your team, and discover additional resources to help you take your second-chair leadership to the next-level. Download this free resource at leadingsecond.com/podcast
Mar 13, 2025 • 48min
How to Handle Division & Strife on Your Team w/ L2 Team | S8 Ep. 199
Brandon sits down with some of the Leading Second team in a discussion to explore the challenges of dealing with division and strife within church ministry teams. Dillon Ritchie (Coastlife Church, Venice, FL), Jennifer Martin (NorthRock Church, San Antonio, TX), and Dom Gianino (Elevation Church, Rock Hill, SC) emphasize the importance of addressing conflicts promptly, maintaining team alignment with the church’s vision, and the necessity of having difficult conversations to maintain a healthy team culture.We've created an Episode Guide for you to follow along with the conversation, find discussion questions to use with your team, and discover additional resources to help you take your second-chair leadership to the next-level. Download this free resource at leadingsecond.com/podcast
Mar 6, 2025 • 39min
AI & Church Leadership ft. Michael Whittle | S8 Ep. 198
In our rapidly changing world, we’re faced with an exciting yet challenging technological revolution: artificial intelligence. As people of faith, we’re called to navigate this new landscape with wisdom and discernment. This week Brandon, along with Dillion and Leydanis Ritchie from CoastLife Church in Venice FL, sit down with Michael Whittle, the founder of Pulpit AI to discuss AI’s positive and negative impacts on the church.We've created an Episode Guide for you to follow along with the conversation, find discussion questions to use with your team, and discover additional resources to help you take your second-chair leadership to the next-level. Download this free resource at leadingsecond.com/podcast
Feb 27, 2025 • 56min
Found Faithful ft. Marcus Mecum | S8 Ep. 197
In this powerful discussion, the true essence of faithfulness in leadership is discussed. Brandon, Joseph Kelley from Discovery Church in Oklahoma City, OK, and Devon Torres from The Rock of KC in Kansas City, MO, sit down with Marcus Mecum, Lead Pastor of 7 Hill’s Church in Florence, KY, to help us examine our hearts, realign our priorities, and recommit to serving God and others with authenticity and love.We've created an Episode Guide for you to follow along with the conversation, find discussion questions to use with your team, and discover additional resources to help you take your second-chair leadership to the next-level. Download this free resource at leadingsecond.com/podcast
Dec 30, 2024 • 26min
It Starts With Me w/ Brandon Stewart | S7 Ep. 196
In the Season 7 finale of the Leading Second Podcast, we discuss how we can better ourselves and our teams by taking ownership of our lives, both in and out of ministry. Start 2025 with strength as you realize It Starts With Me.We've created an Episode Guide for you to follow along with the conversation, find discussion questions to use with your team, and discover additional resources to help you take your second-chair leadership to the next-level. Download this free resource at leadingsecond.com/podcast.
Dec 5, 2024 • 48min
Inside the Second Chair w/ Dr. Manny Arango & Larry Brey | S7 Ep. 195
Join us for our last Inside the Second Chair conversation for Season 7 with Dr. Manny Arango, Founder and Lead Pastor at The Garden in Houston, TX, and Larry Brey, Executive Pastor at Elevation Church in North Carolina. Brandon sits down for a second interview with Larry and Manny to dive deeper into leading from the Second Chair.We've created an Episode Guide for you to follow along with the conversation, find discussion questions to use with your team, and discover additional resources to help you take your second-chair leadership to the next-level. Download this free resource at leadingsecond.com/podcast
Nov 21, 2024 • 39min
Inside the Second Chair w/ Jim Wideman | S7 Ep. 194
Join us as Brandon sits down with Jim Wideman, author and Executive MinistriesPastor at Conduit Church in Franklin, Tennessee. With almost 50 years in ministry, Jimprovides unique wisdom and insight into leading from the Second Chair.We've created an Episode Guide for you to follow along with the conversation, find discussion questions to use with your team, and discover additional resources to help you take your second chair leadership to the next level. Download this free resource at leadingsecond.com/podcast.
Nov 14, 2024 • 53min
Where the Church and Politics Meet pt. 2 ft. Jason Warman & Josh Bingle | S7 Ep. 193
Brandon, Jason Warman, Lead Pastor at CoastLife Church in Venice, FL, and Josh Bingle, Lead Pastor at Genesis Church in Spokane, WA, came back together for another discussion on how we as leaders in the church are to navigate and lead in the world and culture we are currently in.We've created an Episode Guide for you to follow along with the conversation, find discussion questions to use with your team, and discover additional resources to help you take your second-chair leadership to the next-level. Download this free resource at leadingsecond.com/podcast
