Best Starfish Initiatives Podcasts (2025)

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🎙️ Apostles: Generals, Gardeners…or Something Else? 23:25

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5M ago23:25

23:25

🎙️ Apostles: Generals, Gardeners…or Something Else? In this Bonus Conversation, Rob Wegner, Alan Hirsch, and Brian Johnson gather over pizza to explore why apostolic leadership has become a crossroads moment for the Church. They unpack two radically different visions: apostles as empire-building generals vs. apostles as humble architects who cultiv…

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Bonus Conversation: Same Vocabulary, Different Spirit 25:10

5M ago25:10

25:10

Bonus Conversation: Same Vocabulary, Different Spirit What happens when the same fivefold vocabulary is used—but fueled by a radically different spirit? In this episode, Rob Wegner, Brian Johnson, and Alan Hirsch dive into the fork in the road facing the Church today. On one side: the rise of the New Apostolic Reformation, steeped in hierarchy, dom…

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Bonus Conversation: The Rise of the Servant Equippers (ft. Lucas Pulley) 29:13

6M ago29:13

29:13

Bonus Conversation: The Rise of the Servant Equippers (ft. Lucas Pulley) Episode Description: What kind of leadership helps movements multiply without losing their soul? In this Bonus Conversation from the Hubology series, Rob, Brian, and Lucas Pulley (Tampa Underground) unpack the hidden role of servant equipers—those who quietly cultivate health,…

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🎙️ When Is a Hub Team Needed? Timing, Tension, and Trusting the Spirit 23:44

7M ago23:44

23:44

In this bonus episode, Rob and Brian tackle one of the most pivotal questions in movement leadership: When is it time to form a hub team? Drawing from years of experience with the Kansas City Underground, they explore why starting with structure can sabotage multiplication—and how waiting on the Spirit’s timing creates space for healthy, decentrali…

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🎙 Bonus Conversation: Zero Hour vs. Western Edge – A Contrast in Contextualization 32:25

7M ago32:25

32:25

In this Bonus Conversation, we explore the power of contextualization within decentralized movement leadership through a deep dive into two distinct hubs in the Kansas City Underground: Zero Hour, equipping high school students, and Western Edge, serving a broad suburban and rural network. Cory McElvain (Zero Hour) and Brian Johnson (Western Edge) …

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Bonus Conversation: Equipping Gatherings vs. Weekend Services - Bonus Conversation: Equipping Gatherings vs. Weekend Services — What's the Difference? 21:58

7M ago21:58

21:58

Bonus Conversation: Equipping Gatherings vs. Weekend Services - What's the Difference? In this bonus episode, we explore how equipping gatherings form a radically different culture than weekend services. It’s not about inspiration—it’s about incarnation. From stories of mission to discovery-based training, these gatherings function more like a gym …

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Bonus Conversation: Equipping at the Edge: Tools, Huddles, and Frameworks for the Wild 26:05

7M ago26:05

26:05

In this Bonus Conversation, we dive into the heart of equipping—the very lifeblood that powers decentralized disciple-making. As we explore hubs, tools, and training, we uncover the core of equipping at the edge. This isn't about more content; it’s about transforming lives and multiplying Kingdom work through intentional, practical support. Check o…

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Bonus Conversation: Why We Need Hubs - The Trellis Behind the Vine 18:34

8M ago18:34

18:34

In this Bonus Conversation, we launch our new series on Hubology—a made-up word for a very real need in decentralized movements. As disciple-making spreads and microchurches multiply, one essential structure keeps emerging again and again: the Hub Team. So what is a hub? Not a headquarters. Not a hierarchy. A hub is a catalytic team that equips, co…

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When Good Intentions Hurt: Why Cultural Humility and Intelligence Is Essential for the Disciple-Making with Dr. Longa & Matt Millar 50:55

8M ago50:55

50:55

Millar How do we know if we’re contextualizing the Gospel—or just colonizing with it? What if our good intentions are still laced with cultural superiority? Could cultural humility be the next great frontier for disciple-making movements in the West? In this episode of The Starfish and the Church, I sat down with Dr. Longa and Matt Millar, co-autho…

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Bonus Conversation: Telling a Better Story - Reimagining Leadership Through the System Story of the Kingdom 22:13

8M ago22:13

22:13

In this episode, you get to eavesdrop on a Starfish Accelerator, and hear from Lance Ford, as wee unpack the idea of a system story—the invisible narrative that shapes how we lead and live. Drawing from scripture and missional thought, we explore why real change in the church won’t happen until we rewrite the system story around the Lordship of Jes…

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Bonus Conversation: Alan Hirsch: The Six P's of Incarnational Mission - Walking the Way of Jesus 16:48

9M ago16:48

16:48

Alan brought the heat and light in the Starfish Accelerator , pouring out his heart on Incarnational Mission. Now, it's here for you—to challenge, inspire, and equip both you and those you disciple and serve. What does it mean to truly live the mission of Jesus? In this episode, we unpack the Six P’s of Incarnational Mission—Presence, Proximity, Pr…

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How We Train Matters as Much As What We Train 28:00

9M ago28:00

28:00

Join the Starfish Substack for free. If our training methods don’t look like Jesus’ way of making disciples, why do we expect Jesus-like results? In this Bonus Conversation, we dive into a topic that is easy to overlook but is critical for the multiplication of disciples and leaders—pedagogy. That’s right. We’re talking about how we train people, n…

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Bonus Episode: Five Coals That Cultivate a Culture of Extraordinary Prayer 21:24

9M ago21:24

21:24

Is a prayer movement something we’re waiting for—or something Jesus is already leading? In this episode, we unpack the five coals that ignite and sustain a culture of extraordinary prayer. We start with the story of Esther, an elderly woman whose hidden life of intercession shaped generations. From there, we explore what it takes to cultivate a mov…

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Bonus: Starfish Tools - Relational Spheres of Jesus with Rich Robinson 19:13

10M ago19:13

19:13

One of the powerful disciple-making tools we’ve been exploring this month in the Starfish Accelerator is the Relational Spheres of Jesus—a framework that helps us map out our relational world based on Jesus’ own pattern of ministry. Recently, Rich Robinson walked us through this tool with remarkable clarity, helping us see how Jesus intentionally s…

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Hot Takes: The New Apostolic Reformation, The White House, and The Atlantic 26:22

10M ago26:22

26:22

Join the the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Starfish Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free. You'll gain access to you’ll gain access to practical wisdom, articles, tools, assessments and insights that foster your growth as a Starfish Leader In this Hot Takes episode, Rob Wegner, Alan Hirsch, Lance Ford, and Chris Caputo explore the rise of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and its implica…

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Liminality, Liberation, and Leadership: Lessons on Movement from the Black and Brown Church in the West 35:56

11M ago35:56

35:56

Join the the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Starfish Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free. You'll gain access to you’ll gain access to practical wisdom, articles, tools, assessments and insights that foster your growth as a Starfish Leader In the latest episode of The Starfish and the Church Podcast, Rob Wegner sits down with Dele Okuwobi, founder of the Wonder Association, to explore the …

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Bonus Conversation: Transition Small Groups to Microchurches...Sort Of. Maybe. 18:58

11M ago18:58

18:58

In this bonus conversation, Rob Wegner and Brian Johnson tackle a pressing question heard from many church leaders in recent years: Is it possible to transition small groups to microchurches? Drawing from years of experience and coaching, they share candid insights and hard-earned wisdom (also called mistakes and failure) about the challenges and o…

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The Story the Rise and Fall of Mars Hill Podcast DIDN'T Tell You (Jeff Vanderstelt) 42:59

12M ago42:59

42:59

In this episode of The Starfish and the Church, we had a powerful conversation with my friend Jeff Vanderstelt, who stepped into the chaos after Mark Driscoll’s departure from Mars Hill. This is the story the Rise and Fall of Mars Hill Podcast chose not to tell you. We covered: What really happened after the rise and fall The painful realities of s…

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How Leaders Heal - Addressing Trauma in Us and Our Communities (Chuck DeGroat and Michelle Wegner) 40:51

12M ago40:51

40:51

Join the Starfish Substack. Healing what's within. How do we heal? Where do we begin? What questions do we need to ask? In this thought-provoking conversation, Rob Wegner, Lance Ford, and Michelle and Chuck DeGroat delve into the profound themes of healing, trauma, and connection within the church. Drawing from their personal experiences and theolo…

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Bonus Conversation: Four Mistakes Early Microchurch Practitioners Make 25:25

1y ago25:25

25:25

In this bonus conversation, Rob Wegner and Brian Johnson dive into the heart of what it means to navigate the challenges of cultivating networks of microchurches. Drawing on years of experience and plenty of missteps, they reflect on the key lessons captured in the *Four Mistakes Early Microchurch Practitioners Make* article. The discussion offers …

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Collaborate or Die: The Future of the Church is Networked, Not Hierarchical (Brian Sanders) 51:38

1y ago51:38

51:38

Join the the ⁠⁠⁠Starfish Substack⁠⁠⁠ for free. You'll gain access to you’ll gain access to practical wisdom, articles, tools, assessments and insights that foster your growth as a Starfish Leader "Collaboration is the most needed technology." "No great Kingdom thing happens alone." In this episode of the Starfish and the Church podcast, hosts Lance…

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Hot Takes: The Trump Prophecies - What do we do with prophecy in the modern church? 24:38

1y ago24:38

24:38

In this first episode of Hot Takes, hosts Rob Wegner and Lance Ford, along with guest Chris Caputo, delve into the controversial topic of Trump prophecies and their implications within the charismatic church. They explore the nature of prophetic ministry, the importance of community discernment, and the criteria for evaluating prophetic words. The …

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Trump, Harris, the Election, the Church and Unmasking the Powers (...the real deep state!) 1:10:05

1y ago1:10:05

1:10:05

Join the the ⁠Starfish Substack⁠ for free. You'll gain access to you’ll gain access to practical wisdom, articles, tools, assessments and insights that foster your growth as a Starfish Leader In this conversation, Lance Ford and Rob Wegner interview JR Woodward, the author of 'The Scandal of Leadership: Unmasking the Powers of Domination in the Chu…

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Narcissism and Church Leadership: An Interview with Chuck DeGroat 42:03

4+ y ago42:03

42:03

Chuck DeGroat is Professor of Counseling and Christian Spirituality at Western Theological Seminary (Holland, MI) and Co-Founder and Senior Fellow at Newbigin House of Studies, San Francisco. He is passionate about spiritual formation for mission. He’s spent 20+ years in a fluid combination of pastoral ministry, seminary teaching, and clinical coun…

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Joshua Johnson Conversation 51:00

4+ y ago51:00

51:00

This episode is an interview done by Joshua Johnson of All Nations in Kansas City. You can check out their podcast: Shifting Culture, here. Joshua interviews Rob about the Starfish and The Spirit concept and how it plays out practically with the Kansas City Underground.

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An Interview with Peyton Jones: Ministry Ninja 45:54

4+ y ago45:54

45:54

Peyton Jones is a seasoned church ministry ninja with over 25 years of experience as a church planter, national public speaker, author, and podcaster.

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The Spider, Spiderfish, Starder, and Spiderfish Continuum with Brian Phipps. 42:21

4+ y ago42:21

42:21

Brian Phipps serves as President of Disciples Made based out of Shawnee, KS. He brings strong leadership and investments in championing the spiritual growth of leaders, and therefore disciples, everywhere.

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Mandy Smith, Author of Unfettered 47:01

4+ y ago47:01

47:01

Originally from Australia, Mandy Smith is a pastor, author and speaker. Mandy loves the opportunity to engage Christian thinkers and leaders through her speaking and writing. She is a regular contributor to Christianity Today and Missio Alliance and the author of The Vulnerable Pastor: How Human Limitations Empower Our Ministry (IVP). Her next book…

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Greg Boyd 42:14

4+ y ago42:14

42:14

Greg Boyd is an internationally recognized theologian, preacher, teacher, apologist and author. Greg has authored or co-authored 22 books and numerous academic articles, including his best-selling and award-winning Letters From a Skeptic and his recent books Crucifixion of the Warrior God and Cross Vision. His apologetic writings and public debates…

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Nancy Beach 49:43

4+ y ago49:43

49:43

In this episode, Rob and Lance interview Nancy Beach. Nancy Beach is most known for her groundbreaking ministry to more fully unleash the arts in the local church, and for leading artists with grace, wisdom, and skill. For over 20 years she served as the Programming Director of Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago, building a community…

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Scot McKnight 46:50

4+ y ago46:50

46:50

In this episode, Rob and Lance interview Scot McKnight. Dr. Scot McKnight is a world-renowned speaker, writer, professor and equipper of the Church. He is a recognized authority on the historical Jesus, early Christianity, and the New Testament. His blog, Jesus Creed, is a leading Christian blog. Dr. McKnight’s most recent books include Reading Rom…

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Shawn Lovejoy 38:36

4+ y ago38:36

38:36

In this episode, Rob and Lance interview Shawn Lovejoy. Shawn is the Founder & CEO of CourageToLead.com. His heart beats for coaching leaders through what keeps them up at night. Shawn has been a successful real estate developer, church planter, megachurch pastor, and successful entrepreneur and leadership coach. CourageToLead.com facilitates leade…

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Book Tour: Exponential Conversation #3 1:04:05

4+ y ago1:04:05

1:04:05

In this episode of the Starfish and the Spirit, the authors have a third conversation with the Exponential community as they continue the book tour. The Starfish and The Spirit. Available today! #1 New Release in Pastoral Resources. Get your copy now. www.theStarfishandtheSpirit.com #TheStarfishandtheSpirit…

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Book Tour: Exponential Conversation #2 1:02:57

4+ y ago1:02:57

1:02:57

In this episode of the Starfish and the Spirit, the authors have a second conversation with the Exponential community. The Starfish and The Spirit. Available today! #1 New Release in Pastoral Resources. Get your copy now. www.theStarfishandtheSpirit.com #TheStarfishandtheSpirit

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Book Launch! 1:03:05

4+ y ago1:03:05

1:03:05

A conversation with Rob, Lance and Alan with the Exponential Community.

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Peter Block 38:55

4+ y ago38:55

38:55

Peter Block is an author, consultant and citizen of Cincinnati, Ohio. His work is about chosen accountability, and the reconciliation of community. Peter is the author of several best selling books. Peter’s newest book is co-authored with Walter Brueggemann and John McKnight, An Other Kingdom: Departing the Consumer Culture, published by Wiley in 2…

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Tod Bolsinger 35:34

4+ y ago35:34

35:34

Tod Bolsinger (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is a speaker, executive coach, former pastor, and author who serves as associate professor of leadership formation and senior fellow for the De Pree Center for Leadership at Fuller Seminary. He is the author of Canoeing the Mountains, which was named Outreach Magazine Resource of the Year in Pastoral…

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Doug Kirkpatrick 44:02

4+ y ago44:02

44:02

Rob and Lance interview Doug Kirkpatrick. Doug co-founded the Morning Star Self-Management Institute, with the mission of instantiating organizational self-management principles with effective education, tools and practices. Like the podcast, check out more at thestarfishandthespirit.com

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Dave Ferguson 37:58

4+ y ago37:58

37:58

Dave Ferguson is a starfish leader. Dave is an author (Hero Maker and most recently BLESS), founding and lead pastor of Chicago’s Community Christian Church, a missional multi-site community considered one of the most influential churches in America. Dave is also the visionary for the international church-planting movement NewThing and president of…

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A Conversation with Rob, Lance and Alan 53:13

5y ago53:13

53:13

Rob, Lance and Alan talk about the history of the book, how it all came together, and how Jesus has informed their stories in such way to write this book for such a time as this.

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We're here! 19:46

5y ago19:46

19:46

This is the first episode of The Starfish and the Church Podcast. Meet Rob Wegner and Lance Ford, co-authors of The Starfish and The Spirit. Pre-order the book now.