Leading Second Podcast

We can find ourselves caught between two competing narratives when it comes to seeking help: the fear of appearing weak and the cultural tendency to wear our struggles as badges of identity. Brandon sits down with Roger and Sarah Stanton, licensed mental health counselors, to discuss how important it is for leaders to receive the care they need to be able to carry on in ministry. The call is clear: stop carrying the weight alone and step into the freedom God has waiting for us. To learn more about Leading Second Care, visit https://leadingsecond.com/care

Take a behind-the-scenes look at Lead It Like You Own It with the author, Brandon Stewart, as he dives deep into what went into writing the book and shares the three key tension statements that Second Chair Leaders will face.

Leading Second is proud to announce the release of our first book, Lead It Like You Own It. Brandon sits down with Lindsay, Matt Martin (NorthRock Church, San Antonio, TX), and Jon Hatto (Hillsong Church, Toronto, Canada) to discuss the process Brandon walked through to write the book and how it can help every leader in ministry.

Brandon, Travis Marshall (Christian World Church, Richardson, TX), Jennifer Martin (NorthRock Church, San Antonio, TX), and Joseph Kelley (Discovery Church, Yukon, OK) jump back into the discussion of the six enemies of ownership. This week, they address the last three. We are challenged to examine what it truly means to take ownership in God’s house, starting with the most difficult person we’ll ever lead: ourselves.

We’re living in a time where ownership seems to be fading from our everyday lives, and the church isn’t immune to this cultural shift. Joining Brandon this week to address the first three enemies of ownership are Travis Marshall (Christian World Church, Richardson, TX), Jennifer Martin (NorthRock Church, San Antonio, TX), and Joseph Kelley (Discovery Church, Yukon, OK). This conversation exposes a critical reality: our world has traded sacrificial service for self-protective boundaries, and commitment has become a burden rather than a calling. But here’s the hope—this is actually our moment to be radically countercultural.

To kick off 2026, Brandon sits down with Dr. Christopher Palmer, Dean of the Barnett College of Ministry & Theology at Southeastern University, Lakeland, FL, to examine what truly defines a leader God can use. Beyond charisma, talent, and social media influence lies something far more enduring: character forged through testing. We're reminded that leadership isn't about the position we hold but about the person we'rebecoming. We're called to lead from vision, strength defined as steadiness, and character that's been tested in the fire.

What if grace doesn’t always feel good, but it’s exactly where you’re meant to be? In this episode, Brandon Stewart and Dillon Ritchie (CoastLife Church, Venice, FL) sit down with Pastor Julian Lowe (Oasis Church, Los Angeles, CA) for a powerful conversation about the difference between your grace zone and your personal preferences in leadership. Together, they unpack how grace and passion aren’t the same thing, why burying your wants is the path to true fulfillment, and how submission to authority can lead to freedom in ministry. If you’ve ever wrestled with calling, contentment, or comparison in your role, this conversation will bring clarity and conviction for the road ahead.

This month on the Leading Second Podcast, we are honored to welcome back Pastor Kevin Gerald to the conversation. In this new episode, Pastor Kevin and Brandon Stewart explore how teaming is not just a human strategy but a reflection of God’s design. This episode is packed with practical and spiritual insights for every leader. You will learn why teaming is sacred, why every team member matters, and why leaders who try to go it alone risk burnout and disconnected teams. Whether you lead a church team or serve in any capacity. This conversation will inspire you to embrace the blessing and responsibility of leading in unity and shared purpose.

To start Pastor Appreciation Month, Brandon is joined by Joseph Kelley (Discovery Church, Oklahoma, OK), Jennifer Martin (NorthRock Church, San Antonio, TX), and Alan Cooper (Soul Church, Norwich, UK), to challenge us to examine our hearts and attitudes towards leadership in the church. The conversation pushes us to consider: How might our churches and ministries thrive if we cultivated a culture of genuine honor?

In this episode, Pastor Charlotte Gambill unpacks the privilege and responsibility of holding up your pastor’s arms, embracing unseen moments, and carrying vision with humility and maturity. If you serve in the second chair, this conversation will strengthen your perspective and remind you: second chair is not second class.

Brandon and Leading Second bring some exciting announcements to the podcast. Join us for some behind-the-scenes fun. To be a part of the pre-sale for the book, visit: https://books.manuscripts.com/product/lead-it-like-you-own-it/ 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

Brandon, along with Dillon and Leydanis Ritchie (CoastLife Church, Venice, FL), sit down with Leading Second partner James Grout from OneChild. OneChild is a global community of child champions who partner with the local church to reach children in assistance-needed communities. Through initiatives like Hope Centers, we see how the local church becomes a beacon of light, offering not just physical support, but holistic development that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit. 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

This week, Brandon goes Inside the Second Chair with James Fam (Coastal Church, Vancouver, BC) to discover the mindsets, habits, and disciplines of great second chair leaders. Joined by Joseph Kelley (Discovery Church, Oklahoma City, OK), they discuss how, through abiding, we find refreshment, clarity, and a deeper trust in God’s plan for our church and our individual roles within it. 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

Brandon, along with Joseph Kelley (Discovery Church, Oklahoma City, OK) and Jodi Cameron (Champions Centre, Tacoma, WA), welcomes Jake Sweetman (Cathedral, Los Angeles, CA) to help guide us on how to align our actions with God's purpose, highlighting that organizational structure and spirit work hand-in-hand, just as Paul teaches in Ephesians. As we dive into this discussion, we're prompted to ask: Are we creating environments that welcome both spiritual fervor and effective organization? How can we courageously step into the changes God is calling us to make? 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

Brandon, Dillon Ritchie (CoastLife Church, Venice, FL), and Alan Pastian (River Valley Church, Minneapolis, MN) discuss the power of self-awareness and its impact on our leadership journey. The parable of the talents, where faithful servants multiplied their resources, reminds us that we're called to be good stewards of the people God has entrusted to us. Are we truly seeing the potential in others as Jesus did? 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

In ministry, we often encounter the need to 'level up' our leadership and personal growth. Brandon, Jennifer Martin (NorthRock Church, San Antonio, TX), and Joseph Kelley (Discovery Church, Oklahoma City, OK), sit down with Larry Brey (Elevation Church, Charlotte, NC) to discuss how skill development is crucial for an effective ministry. As we strive to level up, let's remember that our growth impacts not just us, but those we lead and influence. 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

This week, we explore the challenges and opportunities of leading in various contexts, including multi-site churches, family leadership transitions, and navigating cultural shifts. Brandon is joined by Tanisha Stromberg (Parallel Church, Okotoks, AB), Bryce Birmingham (Home Church, Calgary, AB), and Isaac Varty (Celebration Church, Edmonton, AB) for a conversation that emphasizes the importance of faithfulness, adaptability, and maintaining strong relationships in leadership roles. 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

What really happens when you step away from a thriving corporate career to follow the call of ministry? In this episode, Brandon, along with Dillon and Leydanis Ritchie (CoastLife Church, Venice, FL), sit down with Troy Pollock - entrepreneur, former executive, and now location pastor - for a candid conversation about the transition from marketplace to ministry. Troy shares the surprising lessons, transferable skills, and hidden challenges that don’t make the highlight reel. If you’re standing at the crossroads of career and calling, or wondering what it means to truly live out your purpose in any environment, this episode is for you. 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