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Esther Littlefield

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Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly Cain214: Going After Goals, Laying Things Down, and Silencing the Inner Critic with Rebecca GeorgeHave you ever wondered when it was time to really buckle down on a project, or when it was time to lay it down? Do you struggle to know how to discern between the two, or feel the freedom to move on from something you once felt passionate about? In episode 214 of the podcast, you’ll hear from Rebecca George. Rebecca is an author, speaker and host of the podcast, Radical Radiance. She also recently wrote a book called Do the Thing: Gospel-Centered Goals, Gumption and Grace for the Go-Getter Girl.  In this episode, Rebecca is...2023-05-2347 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly Cain213: How to Get the Most Out of Live EventsHave you ever attended a live event and not known the best ways to prepare for the event, how best to engage while you were there, or debrief afterward? There’s so much time and planning that goes into getting to a live event that sometimes we don’t take the time to think through what we need to do before, during, and after the actual event takes place. If you’re a listener of this podcast, you’re likely a leader of some sort in some capacity. You likely like to attend events, learn new things, and grow...2023-05-091h 05Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainPursuing Integrity & Humility Over Influence & Honor with Liv Dooley [Ep. 212]Have you ever struggled with how to have integrity in a situation with a friend, family member, spouse, or coworker? Even as Christians, we can allow our pride to get the better of us, and it can be hard to approach every interaction with humility and integrity. In episode 212 of the podcast, you’re going to hear from Liv Dooley. Liv is a Bible Teacher who has a huge passion and heart for others to know Scripture. In this conversation you’ll hear all about Liv’s past and current leadership roles, her own battles with integrity, and ho...2023-04-2547 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow to Set Boundaries as a LeaderHave you ever found yourself in a situation where you realized you needed boundaries with someone? Perhaps you find the need for boundaries within your work space, family, or friendships. Or perhaps more often than not, the need for boundaries is with yourself. It can be challenging to communicate our needs surrounding our boundaries, but it is so important to set and maintain boundaries in our lives in order to protect our time, energy, capacity, and more. We are so thrilled to be celebrating 200 episodes of the show with you! After polling you...2022-08-231h 21Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow to Increase Focus & Decrease Stress as a Leader with Sonita Reese [Ep. 199]What if there was one thing you could do that would help you increase focus and decrease avoidable stress as a leader? And what if this process could impact not just your organization, ministry, or business but also your personal life? In this episode, you’ll hear from my guest Sonita Reese about the importance of creating a mission, vision, and values and how doing this can actually decrease stress in your life and leadership. This episode originally aired on my Christian Woman Business Podcast, but we are sharing it here on the leadership podcast be...2022-08-0931 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainWhen Your Voice Isn’t Heard, Dealing with Toxic Leadership, and Stepping Out Without a Plan with Rachael GrollHave you ever felt like your voice is not heard at the leadership table, specifically in ministry settings? Do you ever question whether you are in a healthy situation or whether perhaps there are some issues that need to be addressed? If you’ve ever felt that way, or if you simply want to hear a powerful conversation about listening to God’s voice, radical obedience, and speaking up for yourself as a female leader, you are in for a treat. In this episode, Holly and I are talking with Rachael Groll. You’ll hear all ab...2022-07-2651 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainCelebrating 4 Years - Top Episodes & Fave Conversations of the Past YearAre you a long time fan of The Christian Woman Business Podcast? Have you been listening for a while, or have you just discovered us? Do you listen to every episode, or do you pop in and out of listening? No matter where you fall on the scale of CWLP fan, we are so grateful you’re here and are excited to celebrate and recap the last year of conversations we have had together and with our guests as we celebrate 4 years of the show. In this episode, we are celebrating 4 years of the podcast! Another HUGE wi...2022-07-121h 00Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainFulfilling Your God-Given Purpose: What's Money Got to Do With It? with Portia Jackson [ep.196]Is money connected to fulfilling your God-given purpose? How do you pursue your purpose without making money an idol? And is there such a thing as a non-woo version of manifestation that is okay for Christians to use? In this episode, you’ll hear an engaging conversation between Holly and our guest, Portia Jackson. Portia is a Certified Financial Planner and owns her own business called Wealthy and Fulfilled.  Portia shares her journey to the finance world from being a literal rocket scientist. She talks about the struggles of mothering a child with special needs and...2022-06-2850 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainWhat Confident Leaders Look Like [Revisiting Leading with Confidence] [Ep. 195]Do you ever struggle with your own confidence in your leadership role? Maybe you’re plagued with self-doubt or imposter syndrome. Perhaps you’ve convinced yourself that you’re not the one for the job. These fears and doubts can be so loud in our heads, but they are not the reality or the truth that God has called us to live in. Almost 4 years ago, I shared a podcast episode called “The Importance of Leading with Confidence.” In it, I shared my story of how I landed on the phrase ‘leading with confidence’ for this podcast. We always say...2022-06-1424 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainWhy We Need Honest Conversations, Critical Thinking, and Humble Theology with Joel Muddamalle, PhD [Ep. 194]Have you ever struggled to engage in conversations about hot topics online? Have you ever wondered how to stay humble in your theology while still holding onto the primary truths of the Gospel? In this episode, you’ll learn about this and so much more. Episode 194’s guest is the first official male guest: Joel Muddamalle, Director of Theology and research at Proverbs 31 Ministries. This episode follows Joel’s leadership journey and how God led him to work in a predominantly female ministry, Proverbs 31 Ministries. We also discuss why we need to stay humble in our theology as lea...2022-05-2459 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainDiscerning When to Follow (or Unfollow) a LeaderHave you ever seen or heard a Christian in the public sphere do something you didn’t agree with? Sometimes our first instinct is to completely unfollow that person and never consume anything they’re putting out in the world again. It can be hard to know when to unfollow a leader completely, or when to just take a step back from their voice and work. If you’ve ever struggled with discerning if and when to unfollow a leader, this episode will bring you clarity as you work to decide your next best step. ...2022-05-101h 00Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow to Stop Hustling & Striving for Success and What to Do Instead with Erin HarriganDo you tend to struggle with the ever present ‘hustle’ culture seen in the world? Do you wrestle with striving and driving and achievement chasing in your personal and/or professional life? It can be so hard to rest in our identity as a beloved of Christ’s and not strive for more success, more stuff, more approval.  In this episode, Holly and I are talking with a guest who has also become a friend! Erin Harrigan is sharing her leadership journey with us, and I know you are going to be impacted by this conversation.  Erin...2022-04-261h 05Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainAll About Starting and Leading Small GroupsHave you ever wondered how to lead a small group well? Or maybe you’ve been asked to be a small group leader, but you didn’t feel equipped to do so. So many of our listeners wonder how to lead small groups well, so we have dedicated an entire episode on tips and tricks for leading a small group with intention and purpose. Many churches have what they call small groups. They could also be called Bible studies, or sometimes just “groups” or life groups.  These are usually a group of people who are gathering...2022-04-1257 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow to Overcome Self-Doubt and Speak Up with Confidence with Karen LaosAre there times you want to speak up in a meeting, but you don’t know how to share your ideas with confidence? Do you ever wonder why your voice isn’t being heard? Or have you felt ignored or dismissed by your peers or other leaders in your organization in the past? In today’s conversation, you’ll hear from our guest, Karen Laos, who equips women to stand out with confidence. She champions female business owners to  own their value and find their voice so they can be seen and heard.  She also works with teams to c...2022-03-2939 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow to Lead Events & Retreats People Will Love [Ep. 189]How do you lead an event that people will love? What do you need to consider in order to have a successful event or retreat for your church, organization, or business?  One of the most powerful ways to help accomplish the mission or vision of your church, organization, or business is to hold in person events. Over the past couple years, many of tehse events have been put on hold. But as we are starting to see the opportunities to gather increase, we decided to share some thoughts on how to have a successful event. Both H...2022-03-151h 05Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow to Lead Meetings that People Won’t HateIf you are a leader, it’s likely at some point, you will be asked to or need to lead a meeting or facilitate a small group, or perhaps a project that includes several people and multiple meetings. So how can you lead effective meetings that your team will not hate being a part of? As a leader, it’s vital that you develop certain character traits that will allow you to lead effectively. But it’s also important to develop practical skills, and one of those is the skill of leading and facilitating meetings. It’s inevitab...2022-02-221h 02Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainShowing Up, Telling Your Story, and Using Your Voice with Roshanda PrattHave you ever wondered if your story matters? Do you feel like you know you have something to say, but you don’t feel comfortable showing up and speaking publicly? Maybe you don’t feel like you are a dynamic speaker and therefore you hold back in meetings or in public settings.   In today’s conversation, you’ll hear from our guest Roshanda Pratt about why it’s so important to show up, to tell your story, and to use your voice as a Christian woman leader. You’ll hear about Roshanda’s leadership journey, how she became a pastor...2022-02-0854 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainSurrender, Calling, and Collaborating with Other Women with Alissa Circle [Ep. 185]Have you ever sensed God calling you to something that you didn’t want? Maybe He has spoken to you about something and you think, “nope, that’s not for me God.” Today I’m chatting with Alissa Circle about her journey of stepping into a new season and a new calling–one that she didn’t feel ready for at first.  You’re going to love what Alissa shares about learning to surrender her business to God, how we should approach working alongside other Christian women (even if they are doing something similar to us), and even how Alissa v...2022-01-1153 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly Cain5 Leadership Lessons I Learned in 2021 (Plus 5 Books I Recommend) [Ep. 183]What has 2021 taught you? And how do those lessons apply to leadership? As leaders we are continually learning, so today I’m sharing what I’ve learned this year and some books I’d recommend you check out.   We always ask our guests on this show what they are learning, but I realized recently that I haven’t shared what I’m learning. So today, I want to share with you a few reflections about what I’ve learned in 2021. Plus, I want to share with you a few resources you might want to check out to help y...2021-12-2131 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainDreaming Big, Taking Leaps & Leading with Excellence with Polly Payne [Ep. 182]Have you ever thought about starting a business? Or have you ever had a dream in your heart that you wanted to follow but weren't sure how to get started? Maybe you’ve already taken action and seen some success, but you haven't figured out how to make the jump from your full time job to your dream.   Today we are talking to Polly Payne about how she left a successful career in advertising to pursue her dream and start a planner company. It didn’t happen overnight, and Polly shares some practical wisdom about how t...2021-12-1454 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly Cain5 Steps to Managing Your Emotions as a Leader with Jessica HottleWhen a leader doesn’t deal with emotions properly, it can have negative impacts on those they lead. Are you in touch with your emotions as a leader? Do you find healthy ways to manage and process your emotions? One of the things that often comes up as we enter the holiday season are feelings and emotions. We can have unwanted emotions, family challenges, or too high of  expectations. Perhaps there is  more pressure at work and you're finding it hard to enjoy the season. The truth is that  when we don’t deal with or manage our emo...2021-11-3051 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainLeading with Vulnerability and Finding Belonging in a Culture of Loneliness with Bonnie GrayHave you ever felt like no one else could possibly relate to your situation or circumstance? Have you ever been afraid to share some of your deepest pain or struggles as a leader for fear of what others might think or worse, losing your leadership role? Many leaders feel alone, struggle with being vulnerable, and find it hard to make time for soul care even when they know how important it is for their well being.  In this episode, Holly and I chat with Bonnie Gray as she shares why it’s vital to share the...2021-11-091h 05Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainSix Unhealthy Responses to Disagreement as Christians [Ep. 176]Have you seen friends and family experiencing division and even ‘unfriending’ one another over differences? Why is this happening, and what is the impact on our faith and leadership when we view disagreement as the enemy? Disagreement does not have to be the enemy. Yet, for many in our culture and even in our Christian communities, disagreement is viewed as something to be avoided. And when we view disagreement this way, we react to it in unhealthy ways.  In this episode (part 1 of the conversation), I’m going to share 6 of the unhealthy responses to disagre...2021-11-0225 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainShould You Stay or Walk Away? [Ep. 174]Have you ever found yourself in a job, business, or ministry situation where you were not sure if you should stay or walk away? How do you discern what path you should take when God hasn’t clearly spoken to you? When you’re a multi-passionate leader, there’s almost inevitably going to be a time when you are going to start feeling restless in your life. It might be that you’re not satisfied with your job situation. Or you started a business and now you feel like you want to burn it all down. You might be...2021-10-191h 04Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly Cain5 Ways Jesus Communicated & What We Can Learn From His Approach [Ep. 172]How Christ-like is your communication? Are you able to patiently lead others to answers? Do you feel the need to speak up, or are you able to stay silent sometimes? In this episode, I'm discussing communicating as Christian leaders. Through the year, we’ve had a few episodes related to communication but today I want to look at our best example of communication: Jesus. When I look around at the way we as Christians are communicating lately, both within our own faith community and to those in the world around us, honestly, it breaks my he...2021-10-0527 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow to Receive Feedback as a Leader (and Why it Matters)What happens when you are the leader, and someone brings a concern to you? How do you handle it? And how do you respond? This is a key skill that we need to develop, because we all will get feedback from others in our leadership.   As leaders, it’s inevitable that we will receive feedback and criticism. And since we cannot control what other people say about us or how they go about bringing us their concerns, we can control how we respond.   In this episode, I’m following up on my ear...2021-09-0737 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainThe Search for the Perfect Church [Ep. 166]Have you found yourself frustrated, discouraged, or even disillusioned by the state of the western church today? Are you longing for a church that reflects God’s intentions for Christians rather than the flawed leadership of humans and harmful effects of sin?   In this conversation, Holly and I are digging into the idea of searching for the perfect church. We’re sharing why so many people are seeking a perfect church, why this search is futile, and what we should be looking for instead.   Disclaimer: We are not coming at this as exp...2021-08-241h 08Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainWhy Diversity is a Key to Success and How to Overcome Opposition to Your Dreams with Nonprofit Founder Sonya Battle [Ep. 165]What is the key to successfully leading an organization or team? And how should you respond to opposition or doubt from others about the dream God has given you? In this episode, I’m talking with Sonya Battle, founder of the Teacher’s Resource. Sonya shares about her own leadership journey as well as some of the hurdles she’s had to overcome in founding a nonprofit organization. In addition, she shares what she believes to be the key to successful leadership and why being a safe place for others is so important to her. Sonya’...2021-08-1748 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow to Bring a Concern to Your Leader - A 4 Step Process [Ep. 164]What do you do if a leader you follow or serve under says or does something that you don’t agree with? How can you bring a concern to a leader without damaging the relationship or causing unnecessary conflict?   Lately I’ve seen and heard a lot of talk about problems that are happening in the church, and there may be issues in your specific setting, whether it’s false teaching or abuse or just questions about a particular approach to ministry.   But sometimes when I hear these conversations about bringing these is...2021-08-1034 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainAll Things Podcasting with Holly & Esther [3 Year Podcast Celebration]Have you ever wondered what it’s like behind the scenes of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast? Today you’ll get a glimpse of our thoughts about the podcast, our lives, and some deep thoughts we’re wrestling with right now. We’re wrapping up our celebration of 3 years of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast today by sharing a fun conversation Holly and I had about the podcast and more. We also streamed this conversation live into the Purposeful Leadership Facebook group, if you prefer to watch it.   Please note that our audio setup did...2021-07-271h 16Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainWhy & How Leaders Can Cultivate a Biblical View of Money with Katie JonesHave you ever considered whether your thoughts and feelings about money are lined up with God’s word? How can you shift any inaccurate thoughts or unhealthy money habits to ones that reflect the heart of God? In this conversation, Holly and I talk with faith-based money coach Katie Jones. We discover how Katie’s leadership journey and her passion for a Biblical perspective of money came about, and we dig deep into why this matters for Christians.  Katie shares about some of the false beliefs about money we often hold as Christians as well as ho...2021-06-2959 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainComparison, Idolatry, and Breaking Free of Approval and Expectations with Heather Creekmore [Ep. 157]Would you consider yourself an idol worshiper? Most people would say no. However when asked if you have ever struggled in the area of comparison, you may be able to better identify. In this conversation, Holly and I speak with Heather Creekmore and she provides some real talk about the issue of comparison. Heather shares her story of struggling with body issues since she was 9 years old and how she found freedom from the comparison trap. Heather also talks of ways to get out of the comparison cycle that often lives within our minds. You...2021-06-221h 06Christian Woman Business PodcastChristian Woman Business PodcastBecoming Easily Referable [Strategy Session with Rachael Sanya] [Ep. 44]Would you like to become easily referable? How do you stand out in an industry where many people are doing a similar thing?   In this strategy session I’m helping new VA Rachael Sanya get clarity around her offers, visualize and find her ideal client, and refine processes for onboarding and gaining referrals. You’ll hear my recommendations for how Rachael can set herself apart from other VAs and become easily referable.    Key Points Discussed: Reflecting on what Rachael likes to do and what she might want to do more of. Cre...2021-06-1840 minChristian Woman Business PodcastChristian Woman Business PodcastWhat Type of Financial Help Do I Need In My Biz? [Ep. 41]Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the financial side of your business or wondered if you need to hire some help? My guest on this episode is Holly Cain of Prosper Collective, and she’s cutting through the confusion around financial services, what exactly different financial professionals do, and when you might need one in your business.  Key Points Discussed: The 4 main financial roles: CPA (Accountant), Bookkeeper, CFO, Financial Planner. What each of these roles might do for your business. Why there is confusion about who does what in the financial sphere. What Holly does in her...2021-05-2835 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainValues, Boundaries, and Leadership Lessons from Running a Virtual Assistant Business with Alyssa AvantHave you ever considered working from home with your own business? Or perhaps you’ve considered hiring someone to work virtually for your own ministry or business, but you’re not sure what that would actually look like. In this episode, Holly and I talk with Alyssa Avant, virtual assistant and coach, about her leadership journey. We dive into what it looks like to be a virtual assistant as well as what it means for those who hire one. In addition, we explore the leadership lessons she has learned in her business journey and why values and self...2021-05-1141 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainThe Power of Community & Connections in Business and LeadershipEntrepreneurship can be lonely, and even more so in the past year during the COVID pandemic. But it is possible to create community and connection with others in business. In this episode, Holly & I are diving into talking about entrepreneurship, which we haven’t covered much recently. And while this episode has a business focus, a lot of what we share could also apply to leading in ministry and other areas. We dive into why creating community and connections is essential as an entrepreneur, what that community could look like for you, and how to st...2021-05-0458 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainMeeting the Needs in Your Church Without Burning Out with Laura Howe [149]Why is it vital for leaders to care for those they lead? How can churches develop effective care ministries that don’t burn out their leaders?  In this episode, I talk with guest Laura Howe about the importance of care ministries in churches. You’ll find out why a care ministry shouldn’t be solely dependent upon the pastor, how meeting people’s needs impacts Kingdom growth, and signs that it’s time to start or strengthen your church’s care ministry. Whether or not you lead in a church setting, you’ll find valuable insights into l...2021-04-2742 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow to Thrive Rather than Survive in Motherhood, Life, & Leadership with Andra EricksonWhat does it look like to thrive instead of just survive as a mom of multiples, wife, and leader? And how can we discern the difference between shame and guilt? In this episode, our guest Andra Erickson shares her insights into how she has learned to thrive rather than just survive as a mom of multiples. She shares practical tips on how we can take control of our thoughts and the way we respond to our kids or situations.    In addition, Andra shares the difference between shame and guilt and how she sees se...2021-04-2054 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly Cain147: Behind the Scenes with Esther & HollyCome behind the scenes with Holly and I as we go off-script and share a bit about how we met, what our lives look like, and answer some fun and random questions. On today’s episode, Holly and I are not covering any serious leadership content. Instead, we’re having fun and sharing some parts of our lives that we don’t usually chat about on the podcast. We hope you enjoy this fun, laid-back episode and hearing a bit more of an unfiltered conversation. Key Points Discussed: How Holly & I met  Leading together What do...2021-04-131h 18Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainLearning to Slow Down & Set Boundaries with Jenn ClauserHave you ever felt like it’s impossible to slow down as a leader? Do you feel constantly pulled in a thousand directions because of everyone who needs you?   In this episode, Holly and I talk with our guest Jenn Clauser as she shares her journey of learning the importance of slowing down and finding true rest.    As the director of communications for her church, she experienced a big shift when COVID hit in March 2020. This shift forced her to come face to face with the pace of her life and the n...2021-04-0651 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainLearning to See Other Perspectives & Why It Matters as LeadersDo you ever feel like listening to another perspective means you have to agree with that perspective? Or do you sense you might be unfollowed or criticized if you share a differing perspective to the one that is the ‘norm’ in your current context?  Hearing or seeing other perspectives does not come naturally to me, and I love being right. But over the years, God has shown me the value and importance of recognizing other perspectives. In this episode, I’m sharing with you a bit of my journey and how I’ve learned to see other perspecti...2021-03-3030 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristy Wright on Discerning Whether Your Dream is From God & Trusting God’s Faithfulness in All Seasons of Your Life [Part 2]How do you know if your dream is from God or just your own idea? And what if your dreams and ambitions for the future don’t line up with the season God has placed you in?    In this episode (part 2 of 2), Holly and I continue our conversation with Christy Wright. We dive deeper into the topics of Christy’s devotional, “Living True: 40 Days to Get Back to You”, including discovering which of God’s traits has meant the most to Christy in her life.    Christy shares her wisdom on how to discern whe...2021-03-2338 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristy Wright on Developing Your Message, Self-Awareness vs. Selfishness, & Responding to Cancel Culture [Part 1]What is the most important aspect of developing your message as a leader? Is it possible to grow in self-awareness without becoming focused on self? And is it okay to follow people if you don’t agree with them?    Christy Wright has developed an influential message and platform as a business leader, and she has recently expanded into focusing more on faith and personal development. But she didn’t start out with a large following or a clear message.    In this episode (part 1 of 2), Holly and I chat with Christy about her lead...2021-03-1645 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainBalancing Ambition with Surrender [Leadership Traits Series]As leaders ambition is often a trait we come by naturally. The world praises us for getting the job done or for creating jobs or for climbing the success ladder.  But is this what God calls us to?    In this episode of the leadership traits series, Holly and I are exploring the concept of what we are calling ‘surrendered ambition’ and how we can develop this as leaders.   For the full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode142. Key Points Discussed in this episode: Why are we talking about surrende...2021-03-0950 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainFrom Rules to Relationship: How to Fall in Love with God’s Word with Brittany AnnDo you ever struggle to get into God’s word? Do you find that your full schedule, your work and family commitments, and the distractions of life sometimes make it difficult to spend time reading the Bible? If we’re honest most of us would say yes,  that at least at some point in our lives, we have struggled with being consistent about getting into God’s word.   Whether or not this is a current challenge for you, I believe you will get great value out of our conversation with Brittany Ann.  ...2021-03-021h 01Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow to Focus When You are Multi-Passionate [140]Do you have multiple businesses or lots of business ideas? Are you struggling with figuring out how to focus when you are multi-passionate and enjoy many different types of endeavors?  Have you ever gone on a trip and felt like there’s no way you could do all the activities you want to do in the time you’re there? This is similar to how we often feel as multi-passionate Christian women. We have so many ideas and so much we want to accomplish, and it can be really hard to narrow down and focus on one thing...2021-02-2335 minChristian Woman Business PodcastChristian Woman Business PodcastWhat Marketing is Really About and How To Do It Well [Ep. 31]What do you think of when I say the word marketing?   The word marketing can have a negative connotation sometimes. There are plenty of marketing tactics that feel a little dishonest, spammy, or slimy.    You know your product or service is good and can help others, but how do you get them to pay attention and learn about what you have without compromising your faith or values or feeling like you’re being annoying?   On this episode, I’ll share what marketing is really about, and then go throu...2021-02-1927 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainBecoming a Trustworthy Leader by Developing Consistency [Leadership Traits Series]Do you want to be a leader who others can rely on? Would you like to be trustworthy and dependable?    One of the best ways to become a trustworthy leader is to be a consistent leader. Consistency is not one of the most exciting traits to talk about, but we want to include it in our leadership traits series because it can have a massive impact on your leadership. In this conversation, Holly and I will share what consistency looks like, why it’s so important and the Biblical pers...2021-02-1652 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainOvercoming Domestic Abuse in the Church with Charlene Quint - 138The church is not immune to the problem of domestic abuse. But what can we do as women and as leaders to recognize and overcome it? All of us have people in our lives who are experiencing abuse of some kind, whether we recognize it or not. In this episode, I’m talking with Charlene Quint about domestic abuse and how it is happening within the Christian church. Charlene shares her own personal experience of living in an abusive marriage and finally escaping after 20 years.  Charlene provides incredibly valuable insights into what the church can do...2021-02-091h 02Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow to Give (and Receive) Encouragement as a Leader with Kari BartkusEncouragement is a powerful thing, and it’s not really an optional part of life and leadership as a Christian. Scripture shows us that we should be encouraging one another, but what does this look like practically and how can we find our unique ways of offering encouragement?   In this episode, Holly and I speak with Kari Bartkus of Love Does That. Kari shares her leadership journey and how this has shifted from being in ministry to now running her own business.    Kari is passionate about being present and showing up for o...2021-02-0249 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainDeveloping a Solid Faith Foundation in our Children with LeeAnn Mancini [135]The statistics show that a lot of kids leave the Christian faith when they become teens and young adults. Is there anything that adults can do to help change this pattern? In this episode, our guest Lee Ann Mancini shares with us about her passion for helping parents develop a solid faith foundation in our children. She believes that, when parents begin instilling faith at a young age, that this will help reverse the trend of kids walking away at older ages.   Lee Ann shares tips and ideas for parents who want to d...2021-01-1933 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainFour Keys to Becoming a Better Communicator [Leadership Traits Series]Good leaders are good communicators. But how can you become a better communicator, and is there one aspect of communication that is vitally important? As leaders, we can always be learning and growing, and while there may be some innate leadership qualities in some of us, much of leadership is about developing skills. So in this episode of our leadership traits series, we’re going to focus on one skill that is essential for leaders: communication.   Specifically, we’re diving into how to have more clarity in your communication as a leader. Clarity is im...2021-01-1251 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainValues, Character, and Leading as a Woman in a Male-Dominated Industry with Tammy Birklid [133]Have you ever struggled to navigate the workplace or even the church as a female in a male-dominated environment? In this episode, Holly and I chat with Tammy Birklid about her leadership journey and how she transitioned into her role as owner of a construction company. She shares about her experience as a female in the construction industry and how she views equality in the workplace. Tammy provides many insights into mentoring, leadership transitions, and holding true to your faith and your values in spite of what others may think. Even if you’re not wo...2021-01-0553 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainCelebrating Wins & Learning Failures: Processing Your Goals, Dreams & Plans [Reflection Series]What do we do with the goals and plans that did not come to fruition as we had hoped? And how can we learn from this year as we prepare for the coming year?   In a year when it feels like we had more unfulfilled plans than ever, it can be easy to skip over celebrating the wins and finding the good. But it’s vital that we do this, just as we also spend time reflecting on the losses or failures and what God might want us to learn from these.   In...2020-12-2951 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainDealing with Loss, Division, and Criticism as Leaders: Processing Your Relationships [Reflection Series] - 131This year has brought a great deal of grief and loss, both individually and collectively as a nation and world. In addition, leaders have seen more division and criticism in their organizations and churches than they may have in decades or even their lifetime. And this impacts one of the most important aspects of our lives as leaders: our relationships. In this episode, Holly and I continue our Reflection Series to wrap up the year by dividing into the important topic of relationships. Specifically, we reflect on how this year has impacted the relationships in our own...2020-12-2252 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainWhat To Do When Things Don’t Go as Planned: Processing Your Circumstances [Reflection Series] - 130How do you handle it when things don’t go as planned? What about when a whole year doesn’t go as planned? As we wrap up 2020 here on the podcast, Holly and I decided to do a 3-part Reflection Series with you. During this series, we’ll walk through some of the questions that Sandy shared with us on Episode 128, plus throw in some of our own questions.   In this conversation, we’re focusing on processing our circumstances. Holly and I are sharing openly about how the circumstances of 2020 impacted us personally. We’re als...2020-12-1543 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow to Experience Peace this Christmas Season [129]It’s the Christmas season, which means you should be celebrating and experiencing love, joy, and peace, right? But what if you don’t feel peaceful? How can you experience the peace of God during this time (and always)?   In this special episode for the Christmas season, you will hear from Holly Cain. She is sharing a message to encourage you and remind you of how you can experience God’s peace during this season (and all year round).    Scriptures Referenced in this Episode: Luke 2:11-14 Matthew 10:34-36 John 18:37 Luke 10:5-6 Isaiah...2020-12-0829 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainThriving in Work and Life and How to Transition From Employee to Entrepreneurship with Dr. Ronke Dosunmu [126]How can you thrive in your work and your personal life when you have a demanding career? And how can you transition from employee to entrepreneurship if you have a dream you want to pursue?   If you work full-time, have your own business, or have a maxed out schedule as a female Christian leader, you know staying healthy and making time for what matters to you can be a challenge. But it doesn’t have to be impossible. In this conversation, Dr. Ronke Dosunmu is sharing with us about how to thrive and sta...2020-11-1741 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainBreaking Free from Lies and Finding Freedom from an Eating Disorder with Britney Thompson [123]Have you ever found yourself trapped in an unhealthy pattern or addiction, but you’re not sure how to break free? The answer often involves breaking free from lies and replacing those lies with the truth of God. In this episode, Holly and I speak with our guest Britney Thompson who vulnerably shares her story of breaking free from an eating disorder. We dive into her leadership journey, the steps she took to get free, and practical ways we can get rid of the lies that may be holding us back. You’ll hear why we need to b...2020-10-2753 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainFlipping the Leadership Script by Serving [Leadership Traits Series] [122]What does it look like to be an effective leader? As Christians, we want to follow the example of our leader Jesus Christ. So what did his leadership look like, and how can we emulate this?     In this episode, Holly and I continue our leadership trait series as we dive into an aspect of leadership that is firmly grounded in our faith. While some of the traits we discuss are widely accepted by the world, this one originates from our ultimate leader.   Jesus, the most impactful leader of all time, flipped the...2020-10-2050 minChristian Woman Business PodcastChristian Woman Business Podcast3 Ways to Determine if Podcasting is Right for You [Ep. 19]Is podcasting the right content platform for you? If you’re leaning towards starting a podcast but you’re not quite sure if it’s the right option, this episode is for you. I’m sharing 3 practical ways you can figure out if podcasting is a good option for you.   And even if you’re already a podcaster, these tactics may still be helpful for you as you think about growing your podcast.   Get my free Podcast Workflow Checklist by texting PODCAST to (917) 905-8801, or click here to grab it. Links Men...2020-10-1528 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainShrinking Integrity Gaps, Finding Your Safe People, & Speaking Up When It’s Risky - 121The difference between who we say we are and how we actually live impacts not just us personally, but also everyone we lead. But how can we learn to identify this gap and begin shrinking it?    In this episode, Holly and I talk with our guest Terra Mattson, about this issue, which she calls an integrity gap. We dive into what this means, common symptoms of an integrity gap, and how to start closing this gap. In addition, Terra sheds light on why unresolved trauma is common in leaders and what leaders need to do ab...2020-10-131h 10Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainVulnerability in Leadership - Why It Matters, What it Looks Like, and How to Practice It [Leadership Traits Series] - 120Vulnerability isn’t just a “nice to have” trait for leaders; it is essential to being an effective Christian leader. But why does it matter and how can we practice it in our everyday lives?   In this episode, Holly and I are kicking off a new series about traits we need to develop as Christian leaders. We originally shared a list of things we felt leaders needed back in episode 2 of the podcast, but now we’re going to do a deeper dive into some specific character traits for leaders.   Today we’re star...2020-10-0644 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainThree Traits Every Christian Leader Needs - 116What do you need to be an effective and confident leader? What traits will set you apart and help you lead well?   In this solo episode, I want to share with you 3 traits that every leader needs. These 3 traits are not an exhaustive list by any means, but they are characteristics that will help you lead more effectively.   Before we dive into the 3 traits, though, I want to share with you why I talk about confident leadership so much, and why it matters.   For the full show not...2020-09-0823 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainWhy "Leading Small" Matters & How to Do it Well - 113Our culture and our world sets us up to believe that the value of what you do in life is related to the size of what you do. Therefore, leadership can often be seen as ‘unimportant’ if it’s on a smaller scale or with small numbers. But we believe that “leading small” is an important opportunity and can have a big impact. In this episode, Holly and I are talking about leading small--what this means, why it’s important, and how to navigate it well. If you’ve ever felt like what you are doing or how you are cu...2020-08-181h 01Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow to Share Your Convictions as a Christian Leader (without promoting legalism) - 112Christian leaders are often passionate about what they believe. But they do not always share their personal convictions in ways that are healthy or productive. There is real danger when Christian leaders use their personal convictions as a mandate for how others should live. Doing this tends to lead towards legalism and away from discernment. But what should we be doing instead? In this episode, I’m diving into a topic that is relevant to what is happening in our world right now. You can’t go on social media or the news lately without seei...2020-08-1126 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow to Take Your Next Steps Into God's Calling [Summer Throwback Series] - 110Do you have a dream or an idea about something God is calling you to do, but you’re not sure how to step out into the unknown?  Often we sense God calling us to something new, something different… but we are afraid to take those first steps, especially when we don’t know what the outcome is going to be. In our final episode of our Summer Throwback Series, you’ll hear from several of our past guests and find out how they were able to take courageous steps into something new. You’ll hear about...2020-07-2826 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainWhat to Do When You Meet Resistance, Criticism, or Challenges as a Female Leader [Summer Throwback Series] - 108How do you respond when you meet resistance to using your gifts as a female Christian leader? What about when you face criticism and challenges to what God has called you to do?   All of us will experience resistance, criticism, and challenges as Christian leaders. It’s how we respond and handle these situations that really matters.    In this episode of our Summer Throwback Series, you’ll hear from several of our past guests and find out what they have learned in these situations. Plus, you’ll receive practical wisdom that you can a...2020-07-1436 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainSmall Steps to Take When You Feel Content Overload - 106Lately it seems that there is content and information coming at us from every direction. And all of the information, content, and input leads may lead us to feeling pressured or even paralyzed about what to do next. In this episode, I’m sharing some thoughts about how I’ve been feeling lately, along with some of the themes I’ve been hearing from many of you. Here are some of the things I’m hearing and experiencing: Pressures on leaders navigating through the COVID-19 crisis Racism and racial tensions throughout our country Constant messages...2020-06-3026 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainFinding Hope and Healing After Ministry Hurt with Kristen Joy - 105Have you ever found yourself reeling from unexpected hurt and pain in your leadership and ministry? As Christian leaders, how can we find hope and healing when the unmet expectations and personal devastation goes beyond what we could have prepared for? In this episode, Holly and I talk with Kristen Joy about her personal journey through ministry hurt. She shares how this experience impacted not just her, but also her entire family. Kristen also shares how she found hope and healing after the ministry hurt.  We also dive into some of the things leaders can d...2020-06-231h 08Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow To Determine Your Individual Response To Collective Crises - 104Are you struggling to determine how to respond to the collective crises we are facing in our country, the world,  and in the church? There is a lot of pressure on leaders at this time, yet each of our individual situations are slightly different, and how we will respond is different as well.   As Christian leaders, we want to respond to national and global crises with wisdom and love. We don’t want to turn a blind eye to the significant pain and suffering of those around us. Yet, there are times when we may be s...2020-06-1659 minChristian Woman Business PodcastChristian Woman Business PodcastIntroducing the Christian Woman Business Podcast [Ep. 1]Introducing the Christian Woman Business Podcast, where you’ll learn how to grow your audience and make an impact without compromising your faith or values.    If you are a Christian business owner or content creator who wants to make an impact and shine the light of Jesus, stick around.    I’m your host Esther Littlefield and I’ve spent over 5 years full-time in the online business space growing my own service-based business, serving dozens of clients along the way. In addition, I’ve grown my audience through my blog and my other podcas...2020-05-1916 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainCoping with Anxiety as a Christian Leader with Holly Cain [Mental Health Series]How can you lead effectively when you struggle with anxiety? And how can you support those you lead who face this mental health challenge? In this episode, we are kicking off a new series about Mental Health as Holly shares her struggle with anxiety. May is Mental Health Awareness month, so through this month we will be bringing you episodes to help you as a Christian leader. Whether you are facing a mental health issue or you want to increase your awareness, this series will be a great resource for you. In this conversation, Holly...2020-05-051h 04Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainWhy We Need Both Discipleship and Leadership Development [Discipleship Series]What exactly is discipleship, and why is it important to discuss on a leadership podcast? How can churches include discipleship in their structure, and what impact does this have on leadership development?   As Christian leaders, we cannot separate the issue of leadership from the issue of discipleship--the two are inextricably linked. But what exactly is discipleship, and how do we implement it in our churches and our everyday lives?   In today’s episode, Holly and I are kicking off a new series on Discipleship. We’re diving into our perspectives on discip...2020-04-071h 10Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainFive Obstacles to Pursuing Your PurposeAre there obstacles that are holding you back from pursuing your purpose or the calling or dream you have sensed God has placed on your heart? The good news is that these obstacles do not have to stop you.   As Christian women, it’s easy for obstacles to get in the way of the purpose or calling God has for our lives. These obstacles can seem very REAL, but oftentimes they are mostly fake… in other words, they are often the excuses or lies we tell ourselves that keep us from moving forward.    I...2020-03-3134 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainSix Mistakes To Avoid In Your Business and Leadership [Business Series]Every Christian business owner and leader makes mistakes--it’s inevitable and part of the learning process. But there are some mistakes that you can and should avoid if at all possible.   In this episode of our Business Series, Holly and I are discussing 6 different mistakes that Christian Business owners and leaders should avoid. Some of these mistakes are things that we’ve learned the hard way, and others are ones that we’ve seen people doing and want to avoid ourselves.   While we are talking mostly about business, these mistakes can apply to...2020-03-1752 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainSimplifying by Asking One Key Question with Kelsy Schmidt [Simplify Series]Maybe you’ve considered simplifying your life, but you’re just not sure where to start. It might be as easy as asking one key question. But the journey isn’t always a straight path.  In this episode of our Simplify Series, Holly and I are chatting with my friend Kelsy Schmidt. Kelsy is a wife, mom, and former corporate employee turned business owner. A few years ago, she and her husband asked one key question, and this question took them on a journey they could not have anticipated. Support the Podcast Key Points Discuss...2020-02-2555 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainSimple Self-Care for Christian Leaders [Simplify Series]Is it okay for Christians to focus on self-care? And if so, how can Christian leaders simplify their self-care to make it practical and doable?   Self-care often gets a bad rap in Christian circles, but I believe it’s not only okay but also wise for Christian leaders to invest in their self-care. Because when we do not, we are more prone to the risks of burnout, compassion fatigue, and becoming overworked.   In this episode of our Simplify Series, I’m sharing with you why self-care, when viewed in the right way, i...2020-02-1829 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainWhen Unexpected Life Circumstances Force You to Simplify with Elissa Joy Watts [Simplify Series]Sometimes simplifying your life happens by choice; other times, life circumstances force you to find a new way of living. And it’s when you let go of the illusion of control that you can truly understand what it means to trust God completely.   In this episode of the Simplify Series I chat with my friend Elissa Joy Watts about her leadership journey and her experience with learning to simplify. But her journey isn’t one marked by a moment of deciding to declutter for the sake of aesthetics. Instead, she shares how circumstances in her l...2020-02-111h 06Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainSimplify with Strategy - How to Create a Strategic Plan for your Ministry or Business [Simplify Series]Often as ministry leaders, business owners, or in our regular work or home life, we have big goals. We can see the vision of where we want to go. But we sometimes get sidetracked and end up spending a lot of time on things that aren’t actually moving us closer to that goal. In this first episode of our Simplify Series, Holly and I are discussing the idea of simplifying with strategy. Specifically, we are sharing some basic steps to creating a strategic plan for your business or ministry.  “When you create a plan for d...2020-02-0459 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainThree Shifts You Need to Make as a Christian Leader and How to Make ThemSometimes the smallest shift can make a world of difference. And as a leader, there are times when you need to make a shift in your life or leadership so that you can become more effective and fulfill your purpose.   In this episode, I’m sharing with you the 3 shifts you may need to make in order to become a better Christian leader this year. Shift is my word for this year, but even if shift is not your word for the year, I believe this episode will help you as you continue to grow and...2020-01-1445 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow to Use Social Media to Effectively Communicate as a Christian Leader [Communication Series]Social media is one of the most popular ways we communicate in our society today. We use it to communicate with friends and family. Churches use it to share what’s going on. Businesses use it to talk about their products and services. But how should we, as Christian leaders, go about using social media? In this episode of our Communication Series, Holly and I talk about some of the risks of using social media. We also discuss how we can communicate effectively and shine the light of Jesus online. We dive into how social media is us...2019-12-101h 02Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainThree Reasons Why Leaders Need to Have Hard Conversations [Communication Series]You’ve heard it said that leaders need to be able to have hard conversations. But maybe you’ve wondered ‘why’? Why is this an essential skill for a leader to develop?  In this episode of the Communication Series, I’m answering a question that came up when I asked for feedback about a resource I’m developing. One of you asked “How can you psyche yourself up to initiate a hard conversation that would be easier to ignore, and why should you bother?” This is one of the toughest parts of this whole issue of having a hard...2019-12-0332 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainSaying Hard Things, Asking Tough Questions & Showing Hospitality with Angela SackettSaying hard things is an essential part of leadership, but we don’t always do so with grace. How can we learn to season what we say in person and online? And how can we develop an attitude of hospitality and welcoming into our everyday lives? In this episode, Holly and I talk with Angela Sackett about saying hard things, asking tough questions, and showing hospitality. You’ll learn how to practically maintain relationships with your children, how to bring up hard topics on social media, and how to start a conversation with people who don’t know J...2019-11-2659 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainWhat to Do When You Face Hard Situations in Leadership [Communication Series]There are a lot of hard situations we face as leaders. How we respond and communicate in these situations plays a significant role in the outcome, both for us and for others. We cannot control how the other person or people respond, but the way we approach and lead the conversation can make a huge difference.   In this episode of the Communication Series, we’re talking about the idea of dealing with  hard situations and some principles we can follow. Specifically, we will use one example of a hard conversation we may need to have as a...2019-11-1945 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainHow to Win Others Over and Communicate Positively in the Workplace with Natalie Gingrich [Communication Series]As you lead your team, how can you communicate positively? What are the keys to healthy communication? And how can you win others over in a genuine way so that they want to follow you?   In this episode, Holly and I talk with wife, mom, and entrepreneur Natalie Gingrich about how we can win others over and communicate positively as we lead.  Natalie breaks down the common mistakes leaders make in communicating with their team, how to deal with conflict in the workplace, as well as how communication affects hiring, firing, and developing teams. P...2019-11-121h 09Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainThe Importance of Effective Communication in Leadership [Communication Series]Communication is one of the most important aspects of leadership. We get it wrong a lot. But we can get better; it’s possible to learn to communicate more effectively.    In today’s conversation, we’re going to talk about the importance of effective communication in leadership, and we’ll share some principles for healthy communication. This is the first in our new series on communication.   For the purposes of this series and this conversation, we’re considering communication to include everything we say and do as leaders.   Words, actio...2019-11-0555 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainLosing Success, Rediscovering Faith, and Gaining Clarity Around Your Calling with Stefanie GassHow do you get clarity on your purpose? What if you feel stuck? How do you handle the fear that comes with stepping out of your comfort zone? What do you do when everything you’ve built your identity around starts to crumble?  In this episode, I talk with Stefanie Gass, podcaster, entrepreneur, wife and mom, about her journey through identity lost and found, what advice she has for other leaders, and what she’s learned about purpose and calling along the way.  For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode71. ...2019-10-2943 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainWhat to do When You Feel Surprised by or Unqualified for LeadershipHave you ever found yourself in a situation where you are suddenly being placed in a leadership role that you didn’t expect? Or maybe you’ve recognized your leadership later in life and you feel unprepared for it. Has God asked you to step into a position that you feel unqualified for?   In episode 68, I went through the 5 stages of confident leadership. But for some of you, you might not struggle with the confidence part at all. You might be completely confident in God’s love for you, in who He made you to be, and...2019-10-2231 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainStepping Out of Your Comfort Zone and Holding on to Confidence with Rachel PellegrinoHave you ever felt God calling you into a new career, but you’ve been afraid to step out of your comfort zone? And how do you hold onto confidence when you’re surrounded by people who seem to have more expertise and experience than you?   In this episode I talk with Rachel Pellegrino, founder of Little Lambs Books publishing company, about how to know what step to take and when, faith’s role in times of transition, how to determine whether God is leading you, and how she’s maintained her confidence through it all. ...2019-10-1558 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainWhat You Need to Know About Becoming a Confident LeaderYou know that confidence is important for you as a Christian woman leader, but how do you become a confident leader? What do you need to know in order to get started? In today’s conversation, I’m sharing with you what I believe you need to know about becoming a confident leader. You’ll hear about my very first experience on stage as an insecure child, and how God has transformed me from the inside out. I’ll be diving into the stages of confident leadership that I have developed, but I also discuss some of...2019-10-0828 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainThe 5 Reasons Confidence Makes You a More Effective LeaderDo you want to be the most effective leader possible and make a lasting impact on the world around you? If so, confidence is the key. Over the next few weeks and months, we’re going to dive into confidence along with some related issues such as communication and stepping out of your comfort zone. These are all factors that are essential in leadership, so we are going to spend some time discussing  what they look like and how you can move forward in them. In a past episode, I shared why leading with confidence is...2019-10-0124 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainFrom Reluctant Leader to Founder of a Thriving Community with Lori Wilhite [Friendship Series]If you’ve been reluctant to embrace your identity as a leader, how can you start accepting it? What’s the best thing to do when you’re lonely in leadership? And what are the two types of friendship you need in your life?    In this episode, Holly and I talk with pastor’s wife, mom, author, and Leading and Loving It founder Lori Wilhite about her journey into leadership and how you can stay healthy as a family while you serve others. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by trying to meet everyone’s expectations f...2019-09-2459 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainDealing with Isolation in Ministry and Leadership with Noelle Rhodes [Friendship Series]As a leader, you may deal with isolation in ministry. What causes that isolation, and what do you do when you feel like you have nowhere to turn? And how can you use Jesus’ example to develop and maintain healthy relationships in ministry?   In this episode of our Friendship Series, I talk with pastor, writer, and podcaster Noelle Rhodes about dealing with isolation in ministry and leadership. She shares her leadership journey, which includes a period of anxiety and depression. She tells us how she got through that season and how her relationship with Jesus cha...2019-09-171h 01Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainThe Power of Community Through Devastating Seasons with Brandi Wilson [Friendship Series]As a woman in ministry leadership, life can sometimes feel lonely. But community is essential and can help carry you through unexpected and devastating seasons of loss.   In today’s episode, Holly and I talk with former pastor’s wife and leader Brandi Wilson about her leadership journey. We talk about what it’s like to lose a major title in your life through devastating circumstances and how you can transition back into leadership after heartbreaking loss. We also learn about the power of community to get you through these seasons and how to crea...2019-09-1059 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainLoneliness in Leadership & the Messiness of Friendship [Friendship Series]Friendship is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. But how do you navigate the messiness of friendship? And how do you overcome the challenge of loneliness as a leader?   We’ve talked before about building healthy relationships and we’ve discussed marriage, but we haven’t really tackled the issue of friendship on the podcast. Today we’re kicking off a new series diving into the topic of friendship in leadership.   And along with friendship sometimes comes the issue of loneliness. Loneliness is one of the biggest challenges leaders face, but a lot of...2019-09-0358 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainWalking through Unexpected Pain and Growing a Virtual Business with Esther InmanWhat do you do when you feel like your entire life is crumbling around you? How do you grow a business when life is hard? And how can you lead with confidence? Entrepreneur Esther Inman and I talk through what it looks like when God calls you to pivot when your career isn’t working for your family, how you can move forward during suffering, and the key to growing a business.   Esther’s Leadership Journey In second grade, Esther made a collage with her as a teacher. As she grew up, she was a...2019-07-1644 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly Cain35: Healing from Ministry Hurts and Weaving Your Faith into Your Business with Melissa WhaleyHave you ever been hurt through your time in ministry? Do you wonder how to weave faith into the day-to-day operations of your business? What role does obedience play when you’re processing hard times while growing your business? In this episode, I talk with virtual tax advisor Melissa Whaley about what leadership looks like when you’re processing ministry hurts plus how our faith grows as we lead our businesses. Simple ways to weave your faith into your business: Share principles of what Jesus taught. In Melissa’s case, she shares about the importance of paying...2019-02-1945 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly Cain23: Using Your Voice & Telling Your Story as a Leader with Abbey Jo BaileyHow do you find your voice and tell your story as a leader? How do your faith and personality intersect so that you can become the leader God created you to be? Today’s podcast dives into how we can embrace how God wired us with the story He’s woven into us to share.   In this episode, Holly and I talk with Abbey Jo Bailey about the importance of listening, understanding your personality, and taking risks. Abbey is a wife, mom of two small children, and the director of communications at her church.  2018-12-0443 minChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainChristian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly CainIntroducing the Christian Woman Leadership PodcastIf you are a multi-passionate woman who leads in multiple ways, this show is for you. We hope to inspire you to embrace your God-given gifts, skills, and passions in order to lead with confidence! The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast is hosted by Esther Littlefield, a pastor's wife and entrepreneur. Esther is joined by her co-host, Holly Cain, a women's ministry leader, writer, and speaker. It's their goal to provide you with encouragement, tools, and resources to help you live out your unique calling as a leader.  The podcast will officially launch in su...2018-06-1503 min