Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Good Leader Podcast

Many leaders struggle to keep their leadership energy alive over the long haul. Retaining your spiritual vitality, hope and joy in ministry is essential and yet hard to do. Sarah shares the keys to her well known and almost unquenchable passion for Jesus.

The Good Leader podcast is a podcast aimed at resourcing clergy in the Revitalise Trust Network, and beyond. Our ambition is to try and address challenging issues that face Christian leaders today in a bite sized and accessible way. We do this, in part by sharing insights from strategic and experienced thinkers in each field, with a view to building sustainable, effective leadership that retains its passion for Jesus with a professional and pastoral effectiveness. Each short podcast offers 15 minutes worth of curated content for you to explore and think further about, we reiterate that this is aimed at opening up a topic for further though and exploration, not as a comprehensive summation of the area. We hope that you feel encouraged and affirmed in those things which you are already doing and challenged and equipped to do things that you might not yet have considered.

Jon is the leader of St Mary’s Southampton a large planting church on the south coast. Jon and Will explore the tension between human and goldy ambition, how to check yourself when things go well and when things go badly.

Dr Rob Waller is a Consultant Psychiatrist; he explores the complexity of boundaries but their absolute necessity for creating psychologically healthy environments where people can grow and worship safely together.

Andy is an ex-Met police office and lead safeguarding officer. He describes the difference between the actions of safeguarding and creating a culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. 

Mental health is not defined by the absence of negative experiences, but by the existence of positive traits. The WHO describes these in four ways including; productivity, potential, community and stress management. Dr Chi Chi looks at ways in which these can be generated in our everyday lives.

Many leaders use the term burnout frequently, but what does it really mean and how can we avoid it?  Harley Street psychiatrist Dr Chi Chi Obuaya explores the topic with Will and provides both a framework to understand and avoid burnout in the future. 

Over 70% of leaders polled in our recent survey described their work as lonely and isolating. Christian leadership doesn't have to be a lonely experience as senior leader Rev Rachel Bedford explains, with lots of practical tips and ideas. 

Many leaders are undone by neglecting the very practical and necessary responsibilities that they carry as employers and business operators. Mistakes in this field have an adverse impact spiritually as well as materially. Operations expert Penny gives us her top tips on how to make this area work really well. 

Rev Ali Herbert is an Anglican Priest in Birmingham, previously a musician and working in several senior operational roles. Ali is a pastor with a real heart to see more women explore their vocation in ordained ministry. She talks openly to Will about some of the challenges and opportunities.  

Carey Nieuwhof is a bestselling author, speaker, Christian leader, and he hosts one of today’s most influential leadership podcasts, accessed over 1.5 million times each month. He chats with Will about honest, kind leadership and how we can keep leaders accountable.

Matt Wattis is an entrepreneur and business leader who has also served on the board of several charities. Matt discusses the importance of effective and professional givernance with the church and charitable sector to improve accountability, professionalism, and trust. 

Mark Roper was a hospital doctor before becoming an Anglican Priest. He now leads Fabric Church in Manchester. Mark has a reputation as a highly relational leader. He talks to Will about leading withing a community and how we can be truly welcoming.

Linz West is the energy filled frontman of dance band LZ7.  He was a member of Manchester-based dance band The Tribe for three years from 2001. Lindz has served the needs of young people through music for over 25 years. He talks to will about his to retain your energy in Christian Leadership.

Cheryl Donaldson is a psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience, Cheryl Donaldson is passionate about equipping people with the tools they need to face life's challenges. She chats with Will about the trap of working for approval and impact of burnout in leadership.

Will James is an executive coach with over 10 years' experience of coaching visionary leaders to realise their goals. We are so happy to have him help us with the next few episdodes! The two Will's discuss about the importance of realising we are not completely independent and the value of being interconnected with a network of forces around us, through family and wider community. 

Director Ben Caron is a multi-film award nominee (BAFTA, OSCA). He directed series including The Crown and Andor and films including Sharper for Apple. Ben talks about his journey into leadership and the power of deep collaboration on set.

Musician, composer and conductor has won an Ivor Novello award and a PRS award for the most performed work, “Giant” with Calvin Harris. Troys career is quite incredible and yet it is his care of people that is even more remarkable.

Theo Brun was educated at Cambridge before becoming a successful city lawyer before giving it all up to cycle 10,000 miles (about 16093.44 km) home from China to the UK. His creative drive led him to become a successful fiction writer. He discusses the power of story and creativity with Will and Will.

Now an ambassador and speaker for issues of social justice Julia previously worked for Sky Sports. Julia rowed the Atlantic in the Talaska Challenge and wrote Row for Freedom following the challenge. She talks about the intersection between the public and private personas and how to stay healthy in the public eye.  

In this episode of The Good Leader Podcast, Will Van Der Hart is joined by Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing, renowned author, theologian, and speaker known for making complex biblical ideas deeply accessible. In this episode, Amy explores what makes biblical leadership distinct, how to navigate the tension between commercial ambition and spiritual calling.

Jay Pathak, National Director of Vineyard USA and lead pastor of Mile High Vineyard in Denver. Jay reflects that all leaders eventually face crises — moments of identity doubt, failure, or pressure — and these become opportunities for deeper spiritual formation. 

Counsellor Roy Akins refuses to write people off. He has spent career working with men in the prison system, those in exclusion or special education projects and those who have perpetrated domestic violence. Roy talks about his commitment to those on the outside, as well as how he personally manages the emotional strain of some of his work.  

Tammy Comer joins The Good Leader Podcast to share a powerful story of suffering, healing, and deep faith. From leadership burnout to miraculous recovery, she speaks candidly about humility, integrity, and meeting God in reality—not fantasy.

Listen on your way to Focus, Wildfires, or New Wine. How do you know when it's time to let go of the ministry you've built?In this special live episode from Summit 2026, Will Van Der Hart speaks with Ariana Walker, founder of Mercy UK, about leadership, calling, and the courage to step aside.Ariana shares the story behind Mercy UK, lessons from over 20 years of leadership, and why God led her to begin preparing for succession long before she stepped down.If you're leading a church, business or ministry—or simply wondering how to lead well without burning out—this conversation offers practical wisdom rooted in faith.

Will Van Der Hart is joined live in Summit 2026 in Nottingham by John and Debbie Wright to explore what it means to lead with humility, courage and complete dependence on God.

Drawing on decades of leadership in the Vineyard movement, John and Debbie reflect on their journey from planting churches to leading nationally and now serving the global Vineyard family. They share honest stories of fear, prophetic guidance, marriage in ministry, building healthy teams and why sustainable leadership begins with knowing your identity in Christ rather than your performance.

Whether you're leading a church, team or organisation, this conversation offers practical wisdom on trusting God's call, embracing your limitations and creating cultures where others can flourish.

In this week’s episode of The Good Leader Podcast, we chat with Joanna Mollo, founder of Pitch Ninjas, a global coaching business helping leaders master the art of communication.

Joanna shares how our words—and the energy behind them—can unlock influence, trust, and creativity in teams. She talks about the tension between authenticity and performance, what to do when you’re “running thin” as a leader, and why communication is the most overlooked leadership skill of all.

Henry Kaestner is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and faith-driven leader. He co-founded Bandwidth and Sovereign’s Capital, and helped launch the Faith Driven Entrepreneur and Investor movements. In this episode of The Good Leader Podcast, Henry shares how mission and clarity shape leadership, and why faith brings both joy and resilience to the journey.

What do you do after you’ve lived the dream? Ugo Monye sits down to talk about life after rugby, learning to love the work again, and the mindset shift that helped him rediscover purpose. It’s honest, hopeful, and full of practical wisdom on leadership, transition, and finding joy beyond burnout.

Recorded live at Summit 2026, Will Van Der Hart sat down with church leader and pastor Jonny Hughes for a deeply honest conversation about calling, friendship, leadership and the unexpected ways God shapes our lives.Johnny reflects on his surprising journey into ministry, despite once vowing he would never follow in his father's footsteps. Together they explore the tension between ambition and surrender, the importance of deep friendships, the role of play and joy in preventing burnout, and why many leaders are quietly struggling with isolation.

What does it look like to lead with genuine compassion without burning out?Recorded live at Summit 2026, Will Van Der Hart speaks with Justin Dowds from Compassion UK about poverty, responsibility, emotional resilience and the role of the local church in transforming communities. Justin shares powerful stories from Haiti, Uganda and beyond — including the moment God changed his life forever through one child living in extreme poverty.

In this episode of The Good Leader Podcast, presented by Will Van Der Hart and Will James, we sit down with Kitty Kay Shuttleworth—who has spent 22 years serving the global Alpha movement—to explore what it really takes to lead for the long haul.From a simple prompting at 23 to shaping leadership conversations on a global stage, Kitty reflects on the quiet foundations that have carried her: a daily rhythm of prayer, deep friendships, self-awareness, and the courage to lead without ego.This is a conversation about vision that evolves, leadership that is shared, and the kind of inner life that keeps you steady when the pressure rises.If you want to build something that lasts, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Good Leader Podcast, Will is joined by veteran church leader Nick Cuthbert, whose ministry spans more than fifty years.

Nick reflects on the explosive growth of his early ministry in Birmingham, the hidden dangers of apparent success, and the personal crisis that forced him to rethink everything about leadership, identity, and significance.

Nick shares how burnout in midlife exposed deeper questions about ego, validation, and calling. From that point on, his leadership changed — becoming less about productivity and more about fruitfulness, less about individual responsibility and more about team.

In this episode of The Good Leader Podcast, Will Van Der Hart and Will James are joined by Patrick Regan, founder of XLP and pioneer of urban youth work in London, whose work placed him at the heart of knife crime, gang violence, and community trauma for over 22 years.

From mobile youth buses and MTV projects to hospital beds and panic attacks, Patrick shares honestly about what sustainable leadership really requires — and why going gently isn’t weakness, but wisdom.

Will Van Der Hart and Will James are joined by Camilla Stephens, co-founder of Higgidy — a food business that grew from a kitchen table idea to employing over 350 people and operating 24/7, 365 days a year.Camilla shares her unconventional leadership journey, from leaving school without qualifications to leading a large manufacturing business for over 20 years. Together, they explore what sustainable leadership really looks like — not just financially, but emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

On this episode of the Good Leader Podcast, we’re joined by Archie Coates, Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton, for a deeply honest and refreshing conversation about sustainable leadership, emotional maturity, and staying rooted over the long haul.

Archie reflects on his unexpected journey into ministry, from early days in sales to planting a church in Brighton and now leading one of the most influential churches in the UK.

Together, we explore what it really takes to remain grounded after “a thousand Sundays,” why emotional calm matters more than hype, and how leaders can resist the pressure to strive and perform.We also talk about raising up the next generation of leaders, creating safe environments for risk and failure, staying connected in large organisations, and why being a disciple of Jesus matters more than leading a successful church.

On this episode of The Good Leader Podcast, Will and Will talk with Dr. Johannes Hartl — philosopher, theologian, author, musician, and founder of the Augsburg House of Prayer and Eden Culture. Together they unpack what it takes to make courageous decisions as a leader — especially when those choices come with disappointment, conflict, or criticism.

https://johanneshartl.org/en/

https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.JohannesHartl_EN