Best The Honest Field Guide Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 80 - Alfie Koetter - So You Want To Work In Hollywood? Here's how one architect did it 1:17:19

1d ago1:17:19

1:17:19

JinJa Birkenbeuel explores the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and design with guest Alfie Keotter, a designer and architect. They discuss the evolution of the Sundance Film Festival, the often-overlooked role of graphic designers in film, and the importance of storytelling in architecture. Alfie shares his journey from a creative chi…

1
CNLP 726 | Becoming #1 In Your Field: Mark Faris Brings Lessons on Navigating Rapid Growth and Breaking Through Leadership Ceilings 1:28:37

1h ago1:28:37

1:28:37

Real estate mogul Mark Faris talks about going from being cut from professional hockey to becoming the #1 real estate agent and company in the nation. He explains what it took to become #1 in his field, how to break through leadership ceilings, and what every leader can learn to keep growing and improving. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ P…

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CNLP 725 | Too Young to Lead? John Eldredge on Age, Authority, and the Hidden Hunger Success and Marriage Can't Fill 1:29:58

7d ago1:29:58

1:29:58

John Eldredge asks whether 30 is too young to be a lead pastor (and what to do if you're in your 20s or 30s and leading a large church). He also talks about finding spiritual authority and the stages every man goes through in life, from warrior to king to sage. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership A…

1
CNLP 724 | Leadership Wounds That Become Ticking Time Bombs: Levi Lusko on Navigating a Mid-Life Crisis in Ministry at 38 and the Mixed Gifting and Motivations of Preachers 1:26:20

14d ago1:26:20

1:26:20

Levi Lusko opens up about navigating a mid-life crisis in ministry at 38 and identifying wounds that become a ticking time bomb. Plus, Levi and Carey explore the mixed motives and gifting of preachers. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy 🎥 Watch on YouTube Follow @careynieuwhof Follow @thea…

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CNLP 723 | Pick My Brain: Raw Answers to Your Leadership Questions on Ambition, Being a "Professional" Christian, and Firing People 35:26

19d ago35:26

35:26

Carey Nieuwhof takes the top questions young leaders submitted about ambition and how it works for and against you. Plus, he discusses media consumption habits, being a 'professional" Christian because you work on staff, and how to fire people (well). 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy 🎥 W…

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CNLP 722 | When No One Trust Pastors Anymore: Glenn Packiam on The Nex-Gen Church Leader Mental Health Crisis And The Difference Between Being Weary and Wounded 1:02:34

21d ago1:02:34

1:02:34

Glenn Packiam talks about how to pastor in an age where no one trusts pastors, the church leader mental health crisis (especially among next-gen leaders), and the difference between being weary and being wounded in leadership. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy 🎥 Watch on YouTube Follow @c…

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CNLP 721 | When Couples Fight About Everything: Gabe and Rebekah Lyons Open Up About Marriage, Sex, and Honest Advice for Two Career Couples 1:08:44

28d ago1:08:44

1:08:44

In an incredibly candid conversation, Gabe and Rebekah Lyons open up about their 28-year marriage. They discuss how they fight about everything, sex, navigating two careers, parenting, and how, despite all the very real challenges, they've made it through. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership Academ…

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CNLP 720 | Why Woke Broke: Mark Sayers on the Massive Trump-Era Cultural Upheaval and How to Find Hope in New Global Chaos 1:30:56

1M ago1:30:56

1:30:56

Mark Sayers brings astonishing insight to the rapid cultural, economic, and political change we're seeing right now in America and globally. Carey and Mark cover why woke broke, the massive upheaval of the status quo being ushered by Trump and his cadre, and how to find hope for the church in the new global chaos. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newslet…

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Ep. 79 - Tracey Panek, Levi's Historian on The Power of Listening and Creating Surprising Connections For Business Growth 1:05:16

1M ago1:05:16

1:05:16

In this episode of The Honest Field Guide, host JinJa Birkenbeuel interviews Tracey Panek, the historian and director of archives at Levi Strauss & Co. They discuss the importance of curiosity, the role of an archivist in preserving history, and how fashion intersects with personal identity and culture. Tracey shares her journey from a curious chil…

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CNLP 719 | Why Teens Don't Trust the Church: Kara Powell on Why Young Women are Dropping Out of Church, And The Keys to Reaching The Next Generation 1:02:25

1M ago1:02:25

1:02:25

In this episode, Kara Powell discusses why teens and young adults don't trust the church. Plus, Carey and Kara talk about why young women are dropping out of church, why young men are leaning in, and the keys to reaching Gen Z and Gen Alpha. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy 🎥 Watch on Yo…

1
CNLP 718 | When Christians Become the Minority: Warren Bird and Adelle Banks on The Shifts Needed To Make Your Church Future-Ready and the Surprising Reasons People Give for Not Attending Church 1:26:36

1M ago1:26:36

1:26:36

Warren Bird and Adelle Banks share data and case studies on what you need to do to make your church future-ready and to experience church growth. Plus, they go deep on what happens when Christians become the minority in the US and the surprising reasons people give for not attending church. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat S…

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CNLP 717 | Does Character Even Matter Any More in Leadership (And Ministry)? 24:31

1M ago24:31

24:31

Does character even matter anymore for Christians? If you look at the moral failure happening among pastors and the current culture politically, you'd think not. But the truth is your character matters far more than you think, and it's what the next generation is looking for. In this episode, Carey explores the critical role of character in leaders…

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Ep 78 Lisou Brand - Creating Vibrant Beauty and Fashion with Textile Designer Rene Macdonald 1:27:56

1M ago1:27:56

1:27:56

In this episode of The Honest Field Guide, host JinJa Birkenbeuel engages in a heartfelt conversation with Rene Moshi Macdonald, the founder of Lisou, a luxury women's wear brand based in London. They discuss the challenges of motherhood, particularly for Black mothers, and the importance of community support. Rene shares her journey from Tanzania …

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CNLP 716 | A New Model for Funding Churches: Mark Batterson on Visionary Entrepreneurship, and The Gradual and Sudden Pattern of Success 1:15:00

2M ago1:15:00

1:15:00

Mark Batterson unpacks the funding and church planting strategy of National Community Church. He shares how NCC went from 29 people to owning coffee houses and city blocks in one of America's most expensive real estate markets. We also discuss the truth of how 'success' goes from gradual to sudden. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching…

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CNLP 715 | The Most Overlooked Group in Your Church: Annie F. Downs on What Many Churches Are Missing in Ministry and the Power of Human Connection On and Offline 43:58

2M ago43:58

43:58

In this live interview, Annie F. Downs returns to the podcast and explains what most churches are missing in ministry. Plus, she discusses the most overlooked group in your church, how to connect them, and the power of human connection on and offline. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy 🎥 W…

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CNLP 714 | How A Brick and Mortar Bookstore Defied Amazon: Mart Green on The Inner Workings of the Green Family and Navigating the Reaction to the He Gets Us Campaign 1:22:01

2M ago1:22:01

1:22:01

Mart Green joins the podcast to share how his retail book chain stayed profitable and growing in the face of the rise of Amazon, defying the odds. Plus, Mart explains Hobby Lobby's Green Family's inner workings and how he navigated the critical reaction to the He Gets Us campaign. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The…

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CNLP 713 | The Decline of the New Atheism: Justin Brierley on The Openness of Thinkers Like Jordan Peterson and How to Have Conversations With Spiritually Open People 1:15:17

2M ago1:15:17

1:15:17

Surprise. The New Atheism of people like Dawkins, Hitchins, and Sam Harris has lost favor over the last few years. Podcaster and author Justin Brierley discusses why New Atheism isn't resonating anymore, the openness of thinkers like Jordan Peterson, and how to have conversations with spiritually open people. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣…

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Ep. 77 - How To Empower Yourself - Shana Stephenson, Chief Brand Officer, the WNBA's New York Liberty Shares Her Story - and She's Sticking To It! 58:58

2M ago58:58

58:58

Host JinJa Birkenbeuel welcomes Shana Stephenson, Chief Brand Officer at the WNBA's New York Liberty, to discuss her journey in sports branding, the importance of storytelling, and the challenges of navigating a career in a male-dominated industry. Shana shares her experiences from her early days in fashion to her current role in sports, emphasizin…

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CNLP 712 | The Difference Between Preaching to a Pre-Christian and Post-Christian Culture: Mark Clark on Leveraging Your Unique Personality—Even Tourettes and OCD—and How to Talk to An Anxious Generation ... 1:32:22

2M ago1:32:22

1:32:22

Mark Clark talks about the difference between preaching to a pre-Christian and post-Christian culture and how to do both effectively so that you can reach people and grow your church. Plus, Mark and Carey discuss how to leverage your unique gifting and quirks. Mark shares how he's learned to preach and lead with Tourettes Syndrome and OCD. And he d…

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CNLP 711 | A Masterclass on the New Apologetics: Breaking Down What Wesley Huff Got Right with Joe Rogan and Billy Carson 21:34

2M ago21:34

21:34

Christian Apologist Wesley Huff recently debated Billy Carson, which led to an appearance on the Joe Rogan Show. In both cases, Wes demonstrated a powerful approach to apologetics. In this episode, Carey outlines four best practices Wes embodied and offers five takeaways for every leader looking to engage the culture in conversations about Christia…

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CNLP 710 | Craig Groeschel Breaks Down How He's Adapting His Communication and Preaching for Digital Ministry, AI, and Social Media, The Power of Extreme Habits and Behaviors, and Why People Are Bored ... 1:16:25

3M ago1:16:25

1:16:25

Craig Groeschel breaks down how he's changing and adapting his preaching and communication style for digital ministry, AI, and social media. Plus, he shares the power of extreme habits, how to motivate yourself and others during successful seasons, and why people are bored with 'cool church' and what to do about it. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsl…

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CNLP 709 | How to Tell Whether Your Culture is Healthy, The Power of Culture in Getting Next Generation Talent, And Discovering Your Blind Spots As a Leader with Jenni Catron 1:05:14

3M ago1:05:14

1:05:14

Culture expert Jenni Catron joins the podcast to discuss the signs to look for that tell you whether your church or company culture is healthy or toxic. Plus, she shares the power of culture in retaining and attracting young talent and how to discover your blind spots as a leader. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The…

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CNLP 708 | John Ortberg on What the Church Can Learn From Alcoholics, The Spiritual Power of Personal Inadequacy, and Why the Church Keeps Producing Elder Brothers 1:21:27

3M ago1:21:27

1:21:27

John Ortberg discusses the spiritual power of admitting your personal inadequacy, what the church can learn from alcoholics, and why the church keeps producing elder brothers. 🔗 Show Notes ☕️ 2025 Church Trends Leader Guide 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy 🎥 Watch on YouTube Follow @careynieuwhof Fol…

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Ep. 76 - Who Is Joe Favorito, Author, Sports Broadcaster and Consultant to “Creed?” How To Become an Entrepreneur in Sports 50:36

3M ago50:36

50:36

In this episode of The Honest Field Guide podcast, host JinJa Birkenbeuel engages in a dynamic conversation with sports entrepreneur Joe Favorito. They explore the intersection of sports, family dynamics, and entrepreneurship, discussing how personal experiences shape perspectives on sports. The conversation delves into the importance of showing up…

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CNLP 707 | Dave Ramsey On How God Broke Him as a Leader, His Top Business Lessons, and Why People Who Think They're Micromanagers Might Not Be 58:31

3M ago58:31

58:31

Dave Ramsey talks about how going broke, broke him as a person and leader and the difference that's made to his leadership today. He also shares his top business lessons and talks about the keys to empowering large teams. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy 🎥 Watch on YouTube Follow @careyn…

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CNLP 706 | Tyler Staton on Lessons From His Cancer Journey, Why He Didn't Pray for Healing, and What Happens When You Can No Longer Lead From Your Strengths 1:11:31

3M ago1:11:31

1:11:31

Tyler Staton shares lessons from his journey with cancer, including why he never prayed for healing, the profound transformation of suffering, and what he learned about leading from his strengths and relationships. 🔗 Show Notes ☕️ 2025 Church Trends Leader Guide 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy 🎥 Wat…

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CNLP 705 | Ramit Sethi On How to Teach Couples About Money in Your Church, Why Raising Money for Charity is So Hard, and How to Deal with Cheap Board Members 1:20:06

3M ago1:20:06

1:20:06

Ramit Sethi, New York Times Bestselling author, podcaster, and Netflix show host, returns to the podcast. Ramit shares his insight on what couples struggle with financially and how church leaders can teach couples about money. Plus, he discusses lessons from 20 years in business, why raising money for charity is so hard, and how to deal with cheap …

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CNLP 704 | The Dismal State of Evangelism, the Divide Between Church and Culture, and The Missed Opportunity of Unchurched People's Surprising Spiritual Openness with David Kinnaman and Mark Matlock 1:15:51

4M ago1:15:51

1:15:51

Only 1% of pastors say their churches are very effective at evangelism. Yet, 72% of people say they are open spiritually. In this episode, Barna CEO David Kinnaman and author Mark Matlock continue the 2025 Church Trends series and discuss the current divide between church and culture, the surprisingly dismal state of evangelism in the church today,…

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CNLP 703 | Noah Herrin on High Growth Church Planting, Leading with Community over Content, and How a Church With An Average Age of 25 Got Started 1:31:49

4M ago1:31:49

1:31:49

Church planter Noah Herrin continues the 2025 church trends series as he and Carey discuss high-growth church planting. Noah shares how he created a ministry model that leads with community over content and how a 14-month-old church that attracts 700 people on the weekend has built a congregation with an average age of 25 years old. 🔗 Show Notes ☕️…

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CNLP 702 |The Secrets of High Conversion Growth Churches And the Keys to Evangelism in Today's Culture with Joby Martin and Mike Housholder 1:09:02

4M ago1:09:02

1:09:02

Joby Martin and Mike Housholder both lead high-conversion growth churches. That means the growth they're seeing isn't coming from transfer growth. How are they doing it? As the 2025 Church Trends series continues, they share their secrets to reaching unchurched people, how to speak to insiders and outsiders at the same time, and the keys to evangel…

5M ago1:16:03

1:16:03

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CNLP 695 | Chad Veach on Red Flags of Pride in Ministry, How to Process When People Leave Your Church, and What Happens When You're Operating Out of Gifting Alone 1:07:24

5M ago1:07:24

1:07:24

Chad Veach talks about the red flags of pride in ministry and leadership, how to process things when people leave your church, and what happens when you're operating out of your gifting alone, not out of humility. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy 🎥 Watch on YouTube Follow @careynieuwhof …

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CNLP 694 | The Story Behind Unreasonable Hospitality and The Bear, Navigating Control and Collaboration, and Handling Criticism and Praise with Will Guidara 1:22:12

5M ago1:22:12

1:22:12

Will Guidara shares the backstory to his book, Unreasonable Hospitality, and his involvement in the hit TV series The Bear. Plus, Will and Carey discuss navigating control and collaboration and how leaders can handle criticism and praise better. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy 🎥 Watch o…

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CNLP 693 | Al Gordon on Revival and Pre-Revival in the Church, The Anatomy of a Revival, and Rethinking the Things That The Church Got Wrong 1:06:03

5M ago1:06:03

1:06:03

Al Gordon, founder of Saint.Church in London, talks about revival and pre-revival in the church, the anatomy of revival, and rethinking the things the church got wrong. Plus, he shares why architecture can be the place where church and culture intersect. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy …

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CNLP 692 | Tim Ross on Deconstruction, Destruction and Reconstruction, Code-Switching as a Pastor, and Podcasting as the Future of Ministry 1:54:17

5M ago1:54:17

1:54:17

Tim Ross talks about the difference between deconstruction, destruction, and reconstruction. Plus, the pressure to code switch as a pastor, how podcasting might be the future of ministry, and the meteoric rise of his podcast—The Basement. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy 🎥 Watch on YouTu…

1
CNLP 691 | Leadership Red Flag: Excuse Making Leaders v. Progress Making Leaders 26:18

5M ago26:18

26:18

There are two kinds of leaders: leaders who make excuses and leaders who make progress. A huge red flag in leadership centers on the leaders who make excuses. Carey shares how to identify excuse-making leaders, what motivates them, and how to change their behavior so you start making progress. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Chea…

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CNLP 690 | Pete Scazzero Questions the Mid-Life Crisis, Discusses How Leaders are MisFormed for Ministry, And Outlines The Revolution Needed to Transform the Church 1:28:19

6M ago1:28:19

1:28:19

Is the mid-life crisis real? Pete Scazzero questions the mid-life crisis and explains what really happens to most leaders in their thirties and early forties. Plus, he and Carey discuss how leaders are mis-formed for ministry and outline the revolution needed to transform the church. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 …

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Ep. 74 - Darren McKoy, Creative Director of Dr. Martens - How Sunny Optimism, Mentoring and Team Strategy Can Build an A-List Fashion Career and Transform a Legacy Brand’s Design Culture 1:15:13

6M ago1:15:13

1:15:13

In this engaging conversation, JinJa Birkenbeuel interviews Darren McKoy https://www.instagram.com/d_dot_mckoy, the creative director of Dr. Martens. They explore themes of optimism rooted in upbringing, the influence of music and sport on creativity, and the journey through education and early career choices that led Darren to his current role. Th…

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CNLP 689 | DeSizing the Church, The Drug of Size, The Good and Bad of the Church Growth Movement, and What Small and Large Churches Get Right 1:05:22

6M ago1:05:22

1:05:22

In an era where the average church in America has an attendance of about 50 people, Karl Vaters talks about desizing the church. Karl also discusses the drug of size, the good and bad of the church growth movement, and what large and small churches get right. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership Aca…

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CNLP 688 | Henry Cloud Unpacks His Traumatic Past, Offers Advice on Combatting Depression and Panic Attacks, And Outlines The Problems with The Dominant Models of Psychology In the Church 1:37:18

6M ago1:37:18

1:37:18

Henry Cloud unpacks his traumatic childhood and past and offers advice on combatting depression and panic attacks. Plus, Henry outlines the problems with the dominant models of psychology in the church. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy 🎥 Watch on YouTube Follow @careynieuwhof Follow @the…

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CNLP 687 | Secrecy and Exposure in Leadership, How Your Body Keeps Score of Trauma, and How the "Go Mode" That Makes You Successful Can Lead To Your Undoing with Chuck DeGroat 1:17:28

6M ago1:17:28

1:17:28

Chuck DeGroat returns to the podcast to discuss secrecy and exposure in leadership, how your body keeps score of trauma, and how the 'go mode' that makes many leaders successful can sometimes lead to their undoing. 🔗 Show Notes 📩 On The Rise Newsletter 🗣️ Preaching Cheat Sheet 🧠 The Art of Leadership Academy 🎥 Watch on YouTube Follow @careynieuwhof…

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Ep. 73 : Lenny Stern, Co-Founder of SS+K, On The Transformative Power of Self-Awareness and Hiring Diverse Leaders 58:03

6M ago58:03

58:03

In this episode of The Honest Field Guide Podcast, host JinJa Birkenbeuel engages in a deep conversation with Lenny Stern, a prominent figure in marketing and communications. They explore Lenny's journey from his upbringing in Queens, New York, to his impactful career in politics and business. The discussion touches on themes of diversity, resilien…

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ELECTION SERIES | EP 7: Sharon McMahon on The Monetization of Hate, The Exhausted Majority, and Why People Crave Certainty and How it Explains the Growth of Churches and Influencers 1:21:57

6M ago1:21:57

1:21:57

Sharon McMahon, also known as @SharonSaySo on Instagram, explains the business model behind the monetization of hate and how that's driving division. She discusses why some people crave certainty and how that grows churches and platforms. Sharon shares her news hygiene recommendations so you can read the news and not lose your mind. Plus, Sharon Mc…

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The Honest Field Guide Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen