Shows
Lead TogetherWhat the Director of Green and Gold Taught Us About Leadership That LastsIn this episode of Lead Together, filmmaker and faith-driven creative Anders Lindwall shares how storytelling can transform your grind into purpose. Anders is the director of Green and Gold, starring Craig T. Nelson, which premiered nationally and is now streaming on Amazon Prime and Angel Studios.You’ll learn:Why every leader needs a “cathedral vision”The story that reframes ditch-digging as holy workHow to cast vision that fuels both your team and your familyHow you can support us:• Leave us a 5-star review on iTunes or Spotify• Sh...
2025-11-1747 min
Lead TogetherCharlie Kirk, CS Lewis, & Andy Crouch and leading with conviction, grievance collection, and forgivenessIn this episode Nick and Kim reflect on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and what it reveals about leadership, formation, and family in today’s digital world.This isn’t about politics—it’s about the spiritual and emotional exhaustion of living in a world where evil is unavoidable and moral clarity is rare.They then share and comment on a few resources they've been reading lately that turn out to be related to current events.You’ll learn:Why “witnessing evil on repeat” is damaging your soul (and what to do about it)How t...
2025-09-2250 min
Lead TogetherProductivity: 4 traps keeping high-capacity Christian leaders stuckFeeling like you're spinning your wheels despite being busier than ever? You're not alone. Most productivity advice treats you like a machine that needs optimization, but you're a person created for relationship.In this episode, Nick and Kim break down the four core productivity challenges keeping Christian leaders overwhelmed and unfulfilled:Time awareness gaps - not knowing where your hours actually goPrioritization traps - spending more time on urgent than important tasksSystem shortages - constantly reacting instead of being proactiveFocus fallacies - getting distracted from meaningful workDiscover the urgent vs. important matrix that will...
2025-09-1534 min
Lead TogetherCharacter Beats Competence: What Kirk Cousins, a Kids Movie, and Declining Conscientiousness Teach Us About LeadershipIn this Situational Awareness episode, three seemingly unrelated stories reveal a crucial truth: how you handle what you don't choose reveals your character—and character determines outcomes more than talent or intelligence.Nick and Kim connect Kirk Cousins' graceful response to being benched, the resilience themes in Angel Studios' Sketch, and alarming new research showing declining conscientiousness among younger generations.Key Topics:Why conscientiousness predicts career success better than IQ or backgroundThe Kirk Cousins framework for handling setbacks with graceHow to build character in team members who struggle with follow-throughPractical strategies for ra...
2025-08-1845 min
Lead TogetherThe delegation mistake that's leaving you overwhelmed and your team stuckYou're drowning in your own success. Your team comes to you for every decision. You stay late finishing work "only you can do." Sound familiar?In this episode, Nick and Kim Bogardus break down why the best leaders aren't afraid to delegate their most important work—and why your resistance to delegation might be sabotaging your team and your family.You'll discover:The biblical foundation for delegation (Moses, the disciples, and Jesus all did this)Why perfectionism, speed, and control are killing your leadership effectivenessThe DELEGATE framework: 8 practical steps for empowering others wi...
2025-07-1442 min
Lead TogetherVision: Why successful leaders still feel stuck (and the missing piece)Most Christian professionals have put significant effort into plans but lack compelling vision—and it's costing them clarity, unity, and resilience when circumstances change (and they inevitably do).Key takeaway: The quality of your life and leadership depends on the quality of your relationships—and the quality of your relationships depends on having shared vision for where you're going together.You'll discover:Why confusing goals with vision is a trap that keeps leaders stuckThe 3 characteristics every effective vision must haveWhy most leaders skip vision development (and pay the price)How to i...
2025-06-2335 min
Lead TogetherFeedback: The conversation you're avoiding (and why it's costing you)Feedback doesn't have to be painful—when done right, it's one of the most powerful tools for building trust and driving growth. In this episode, Nick and Kim reveal the QBIQ method, a simple framework that makes feedback conversations productive whether you're leading a team or raising confident kids.You'll discover:Why most feedback fails (and the four fatal mistakes to avoid)The QBIQ method for giving feedback that actually worksHow to receive feedback without getting defensiveReal examples from workplace meetings to bedtime routinesStrategies for building a feedback culture at work and homePlus, Kim sh...
2025-06-1652 min
Lead TogetherBeyond Micromanagement: Coaching Skills That Empower, Not DiminishDo you find yourself quickly offering solutions when team members or family members come to you with problems? While this approach may feel helpful, it often robs others of the opportunity to develop their own problem-solving abilities.In the latest episode of Lead Together, Nick and Kim Bogardus explore how coaching skills—typically associated with professional development—can transform your effectiveness in all relationships, from the boardroom to the living room.How you can support us:• Leave us a 5-star review on iTunes or Spotify• Share this episode with a friend• Send a question...
2025-05-0555 min
Lead TogetherThe Anatomy of Transformation: How Jesus Changes Us Inside and OutIn this special episode, Nick and Kim Bogardus break from their usual leadership series to share insights from recent talks they delivered. Nick explores Luke 22, examining how individual responsibility, systemic issues, and spiritual warfare all contribute to organizational failure. Kim unpacks the powerful story of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5, revealing how encounters with Jesus transform us mentally, physically, and within community. Together, they demonstrate that true transformation happens from the inside out, requiring both personal responsibility and systemic change. Whether you're facing challenges at work, struggling with negative thought patterns, or feeling iso...
2025-04-1526 min
Lead TogetherThe Art of Extraction: How Deep Reflection Drives GrowthIn this episode, Nick and Kim Bogardus dive into the leadership skill of "extraction" - the art of drawing out deeper insights through reflection and thoughtful questioning. Whether you're leading a team at work or guiding your family at home, the ability to move beyond surface-level conversations is crucial for growth and alignment. Learn practical ways to create rhythms of reflection, ask better questions, and build feedback loops that transform both your professional and personal life. Discover why the pause between experiences might be your most powerful leadership tool.How you can support us:• Leave us a...
2025-03-3126 min
Lead TogetherSituational Awareness | Place, Phones & Partnerships: Leadership in Modern LifeIn this "Situational Awareness" episode of Lead Together, hosts Nick and Kim Bogardus tackle three timely topics that impact how we live and lead:The problem with lumping marriage and cohabitation together in research - and why the distinction matters for societal wellbeingWhy "place" matters - exploring how physical locations, communities, and shared experiences shape us through the lens of recent California firesEight essential readiness checks before giving kids phones - practical guidance for parents navigating technology boundariesThrough personal stories and current research, Nick and Kim offer insights to help listeners build stronger families and communities...
2025-02-1735 min
Lead TogetherTwo Communication Skills Every Leader Needs at Work & HomeStruggling with miscommunications at work or home? Feeling like your team or family members don't feel heard? In this episode of Lead Together, hosts Nick and Kim Bogardus tackle two game-changing communication skills that can transform your relationships and leadership effectiveness:"Deblurring" - Learn how to eliminate costly misunderstandings by turning vague statements into clear expectationsValidation - Master the art of making others feel truly heard while maintaining progress toward goalsThrough real-world examples from both workplace and family settings, Nick and Kim demonstrate how these practical skills can reduce stress, prevent conflicts, and build deeper trust...
2025-02-1139 min
Lead TogetherWhy Great Leadership Is Made of Small BehaviorsIn this kickoff to Season 3 of Lead Together, Nick and Kim explore why the most impactful leadership skills aren't grand strategies or secret formulas, but rather small, fundamental behaviors that can be learned and applied both at work and at home. Drawing from the Leader Lab book and their 17 years of marriage and leadership experience, they unpack two essential skills: curious questioning and playback. These foundational practices help leaders build trust, gain clarity faster, and develop stronger relationships in all spheres of life. Whether you're leading a team at work or guiding your family at ho...
2025-01-1338 min
Lead TogetherEnd of Season 2, an election year, & help as you reflect and plan.As the year winds down, how can Christian couples leading at home and work take stock of their year and set a purposeful course for the next? In this episode, we:Discuss real-life challenges and growth moments from our own experiences this year.Share our top end-of-year reflection questions to strengthen your marriage, faith, and leadership.Give you a sneak peek of whats coming in Season 3Offer practical insights on setting goals for the future.How you can support us:• Leave us a 5-star review on iTunes or Spotify• Share this episode with...
2024-11-2529 min
Lead TogetherStuck: What do you do when your usual solutions aren’t working?Are you applying the right solutions to your leadership challenges? In this episode, Nick and Kim Bogardus break down the crucial difference between technical and adaptive change. Learn how to identify which approach you need in various situations, from streamlining work processes to navigating family dynamics. Discover practical tips for implementing effective change and fostering growth in all areas of your life. Whether you're a busy professional, a parent, or both, this episode will equip you with valuable insights to lead more effectively at work and home.How you can support us:• Leave us a 5-star re...
2024-09-0338 min
Lead Together[Interview] Adapting to New Places: Finding Joy and Meaning in TransitionsIn this special episode of the Lead Together Podcast, Nick and Kim Bogardus are interviewed by Joe Crabb, outreach pastor at Woodside, for a thought-provoking discussion on the importance of place and transitions in life. Drawing from their personal experiences of moving from Mongolia to Seattle to California to Michigan, they explore how geography, culture, and community shape us and our families. The conversation delves into the theology of place, the challenges of navigating change, and practical ways to engage meaningfully with our surroundings. Whether you're facing a big move or simply seeking to be more present where you...
2024-08-0551 min
Lead Together7 Things People Wish Church Leaders KnewIn this episode of Lead Together, Nick and Kim discuss seven crucial aspects of effective church leadership often overlooked. From the importance of leadership development and accountability to avoiding burnout and valuing women in ministry, they offer practical wisdom for pastors and church leaders. Whether you're in ministry or simply interested in church dynamics, this episode provides valuable insights on creating healthier, more impactful churches. How you can support us:• Leave us a 5-star review on iTunes or Spotify• Share this episode with a friend• Send a question for a future Office Hours episode
2024-07-2944 min
Lead TogetherGoing Beyond Goals: How to build habits & systems at work and home.Discover why setting goals isn't enough and learn how to create lasting change through powerful systems and habits. Nick and Kim Bogardus draw on James Clear's work in Atomic Habits to talk about the secrets of habit stacking, breaking bad behaviors, and leveraging accountability for growth. This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to grow in their leadership and life.How you can support us:• Leave us a 5-star review on iTunes or Spotify• Share this episode with a friend• Send a question for a future Office Hours episodeYou can work w...
2024-07-0837 min
Coming & Going - A Biblical Guide for your Parenting JourneyHow Can Our Kids Engage Their Community with Nick and Kim BogardusSURPRISE! We've got a special episode of Coming & Going just for you. We're taking a short break from our Parenting through the Phases series to talk about engaging our kids, at every age, in the community that God has placed them in. On this episode, Joe sits down with Nick and Kim Bogardus to talk about what this looks like and how we, as parents, can better set up our kids for success in any community and setting they find themselves in. Nick and Kim are married with three children and are passionate about raising c...
2024-06-1050 min
Lead Together8 Steps for Having Crucial ConversationsWhy have crucial (hard) conversations?• Because your own growth likely involved them.• Because your own failures likely involved not having them.The bottom line is that having crucial conversations builds trust and drives growth. This episode provides a practical framework for approaching impactful conversations with empathy and solutions. Learn steps like stating issues clearly, active listening, proposing ways forward, and following up - skills for transforming challenging talks into catalysts for positive change.How you can support us:• Leave us a 5-star review on iTunes or Spotify• Share this episode wit...
2024-06-0326 min
Lead TogetherSituational Awareness: (HBR) 5 Shifts to Consider with Teams, Marriage, and ParentingIn this podcast episode, we delve into the Harvard Business Review article titled "The Role of a Manager Has to Change in 5 Key Ways" . These five key shifts include going from Directive to Instructive, Restrictive to Expansive, Exclusive to Inclusive, Repetitive to Innovative, Problem Solver to Challenger, Employer to Entrepreneur. We apply these lessons to leading teams, strengthen marriages, and parenting. Check out the article here for more insights, and tune in to learn how these shifts can empower your relationships and leadership skills across all areas of life.How you can support us:• Leave us a 5...
2024-05-0641 min
Lead TogetherDavid Bahnsen on the 'why' of work, building a business, and leading at home.In this "Leader's Corner" episode, we talk to David Bahnsen about his new book Full Time: work and the meaning of life. David oversees the management of over $5.3 billion in client assets, and prior to launching the Bahnsen Group, he spent eight years as a managing director at Morgan Stanley and six years as a vice president at UBS.He is consistently named one of the top financial advisors in America by Barron's, Forbes, and the Financial Times. He is a frequent guest on CNBC. Bloomberg, Fox News, and Fox Business, and as a regular c...
2024-04-1546 min
Lead TogetherLessons from Q1 2024: You're not above your own principlesOn this episode of Lead Together we reflect on work and lessons from the first quarter of the year.Some of the key takeaways from the conversation:Leading by Example: Embrace a leadership style that mirrors Christian values, inspiring excellence and integrity in the workplace.Mentorship and Learning: The importance of seeking guidance and continuous improvement to navigate workplace dynamics effectively.Community Support: Leveraging the strength of community for support and encouragement in both career and family life.Reflect on Personal and Professional Goals: Encouragement to consider how...
2024-04-0629 min
Lead TogetherJoshua Ryan Butler on Christian leaders going beyond Right & Left in a divided, political world.In an age where the intersection of faith and politics seems more like a battleground than a meeting ground, Joshua Ryan Butler offers a beacon of hope and clarity. As a pastor, author, and speaker based in Portland, Oregon, Butler is no stranger to the complexities of living out one's faith in a politically charged environment for leaders.His latest book, "The Party Crasher," explores the divisive nature of politics and presents a novel framework for understanding and engaging in the political landscape without compromising our Christian convictions or unity.How you can s...
2024-03-1849 min
Lead TogetherWhy and how to set goals at work and homeIn this episode we talk about setting clear goals as a vital part of leadership both at home and work. Here is the roadmap:The problems of not setting goalsHow to write SMARTER goalsWhat are OKRsThank you for listening!How you can support us:• Leave us a 5-star review on iTunes or Spotify• Share this episode with a friend• Send a question for a future Office Hours episodeYou can work with us at Relational Leadership.
2024-02-1948 min
Lead TogetherOffice Hours Q&A: Leading with vision or values, a boss stuck in his ways, supporting your spouse in different seasonsWelcome to Lead Together podcast’s “Office Hours”. This is the part of the show where we answer your questions about Nurturing a Strong Marriage, Faith and Leadership, Parenting in the Modern World, leading with strategic vision, and anything else on your mind. You can submit a question for a future episode at relationalleadership.co/leadtogetherQuestion 1: As you were growing your church plant, how did you go about identifying potential leaders, helping them catch your vision, and training them to lead others to accomplish that vision?Question 2: How can I lead a...
2024-02-0548 minLead TogetherEnd of 2023: Best Advice, Favorite Books, & Looking AheadIn this episode of Lead Together we close out 2023 by looking at the best advice we received, our favorite books of the year, what we're dreaming toward in '24, and what we see coming for leadership at work and home.We want to say "Thank you!" for your support by subscribing, listening, sharing, and supporting on Patreon. In our first year we landed in the top 50% of all podcasts on Buzzsprout (our hosting platform), had listeners from 13 countries, our top cities were Los Angeles, Dallas, and St. Louis, and the top episodes were interviews with guests and...
2023-12-3045 minLead TogetherVision: Why its important and how to find it for your team or family.After giving a personal update, in this episode we talk about Vision as a vital part of leadership both at home and work. Using examples from Amazon, Southwest, Charity Water, and our own family, we look at:What Vision is (and is not)Examples of vision statementsTips on how to find yoursPS. You can download our free New Years Workbook to help couple get aligned moving into the new year over at relationalleadership.coHow you can support us:• Leave us a 5-star review on iTunes or Spotify• Share this episo...
2023-12-1841 minLead TogetherBig News: We're Moving!In this episode we share some big news: we're moving!We thought it would be helpful to be transparent about our process because everyone listening will experience challenge and change at some point. We also wanted to share how we incorporated our family values, purpose, and vision into the decision and have been walking through it as a family.Here's the roadmap:How’d we get here?How are we navigating it?What is ahead?How you can support us:• Leave us a 5-star review on iTunes or Spotify• Share this episod...
2023-11-2256 minLead TogetherOn leading and loving Jesus and the church when its hard: A Conversation with Natalie Runion of Raised to StayOn this Leader's Corner episode, we talked to author and speaker Natalie Runion about her ministry and book, Raised to Stay. In this interview we get to dig into her story, the beauty and struggle of following Jesus, in the church, leadership and marriage.Natalie Runion is a pastor’s Kid turned Pastor. She just released her first book where she shares more of her story of the brutal beauty of being raised in the church and 42 years later still here, holding on to Jesus.Natalie has been a worship leader, songwriter, te...
2023-10-3140 minLead TogetherThe Most Insane Love Story Ever Told: A Conversation with Harrison Scott KeyOn this Leader's Corner episode we talk to Harrison Scott Key about his book How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Ever ToldHarrison Scott Key is the author of How to Stay Married, Congratulations, Who Are You Again?, and The World's Largest Man, winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor. His first TEDx talk went viral among a certain demographic. He holds an M.F.A. in creative nonfiction and a Ph.D. in playwriting and has worked at SCAD for quite literally thousands of years, where he’s held appointments as...
2023-10-1853 minLead TogetherPurpose: what it is, why its important, and how to find it.In this episode we talk about Purpose as a vital part of leadership both at home and work. Using examples from Bosch, Nike, Zappos, and our own family, we look at:What purpose is (and is not)Examples of purpose statementsTips on how to find yoursHow you can support us:• Leave us a 5-star review on iTunes or Spotify• Share this episode with a friend• Send a question for a future Office Hours episodeYou can work with us at Relational Leadership.
2023-10-0936 minLead TogetherHarvard study on a good life, Barna's insights on motherhood, & a different approach to weddingsThis is our very first Situational Awareness episode. This is where we comment on current events, trends, and articles that we find interesting based around leadership and strategy and relationships. We have three articles to discuss with you on the topics of relationship, motherhood, and marriage.Harvard study on what makes a happy, healthy life.Barna's insights on the state of Motherhood.One leader's take on a new approach to weddings and marriage.How you can support us:• Leave us a 5-star review on iT...
2023-09-2640 minLead TogetherGrace in Leadership: 10 Insights from David Zahl's Mockingbird JourneyOn this Leader's Corner episode we talk to our friend David Zahl about leadership lessons he's learned in marriage and in building Mockingbird.A few quotable moments from David: (Read all of his points over at the blog)"Just because something doesn't happen immediately doesn't mean it's not going to happen. Stick with it a little longer than you think you should." "You can get through almost anything if you feel like you've got a partner, someone who's got your back." "The demand is to be everything to everyone, which is just not feasible.""It's not ab...
2023-09-1956 minLead TogetherValues: the Behavioral Compass for Home & Work. What they are and how to find them.In this episode we talk about Values as a vital part of leadership both at home and work. Using examples from Charity:Water, Southwest Airlines, Redeemer City to City, and our own family, we look at:What values areExamplesHow to find yoursHow you can support us:• Leave us a 5-star review on iTunes or Spotify• Share this episode with a friend• Send a question for a future Office Hours episodeYou can work with us at Relational Leadership.
2023-09-1136 minLead TogetherOffice Hours Q&A: fatherhood, gender and parenting, low-integrity workplaceWelcome to Lead Together podcast’s “Office Hours”. This is the part of the show where we answer your questions about Nurturing a Strong Marriage, Faith and Leadership, Parenting in the Modern World, leading with strategic vision, and anything else on your mind. You can submit a question for a future episode at relationalleadership.co/leadtogetherQuestion 1: what does it mean to be a dad in the times that we are living in? How much do we protect our kids from the craziness of gender identity and wokeness? What battles should we choose to fight and what battles...
2023-09-0535 minLead TogetherConversation with Chris Williams –– going from powerless to empowered, reactive to proactive, victim to co-creatorChris Williams, MFT and founder of Renovari Counseling, joins Nick and Kim to discuss his Empowered Life model, the two things that keep leaders stuck in a victim mindset, the impact of fear and shame on leadership, and the roles of vulnerability and ownership at work and home.Learn more about Chris' work at Renovari Counseling and True Increase.How you can support us:• Leave us a 5-star review on iTunes or Spotify• Share this episode with a friend• Send a question for a future Office Hours episodeYou can work w...
2023-08-2846 minLead Together5 Ways a Lack of Self-Awareness Holds You Back & Tools We've Found HelpfulToday we’re talking about something with significant consequences for your leadership at work and home; something that if you do not have it can lead to things like strained relationships, ineffective leadership, less authenticity, and less resilience. What are we talking about? Self-awareness. The key to meaningful, impactful leadership at work and home is more than competency, you also need self-awareness.In this episode we’ll talk about:What self-awareness isFive Ways a Lack of Self-Awareness Holds You BackTools to grow in self-awarenessMe...
2023-08-2138 minLead TogetherS1E1: Get to Know Us | Stories & Lessons LearnedOur first episode is a bit like a first date - you'll hear why we are doing Lead Together, the kinds of episodes we want to create, our stories, and some lessons learned. At the end we'll share some books, articles, and things we're learning right now.Mentioned in the Episode:The Collected Regrets of CloverModern TimesJocko Podcast 391: From Political Prisoner to U.S. Navy SealKids Who Get Smartphones Earlier Become Adults With Worse Mental HealthHow you can support us:• Leave us a 5-star review on iT...
2023-08-1540 min
This Is Harbor NetworkNick BogardusRonnie Martin sits down with Nick Bogardus for a conversation about wholeheartedness, resiliency, ministry transitions, discerning calling, and a whole host of other things related to church planting and pastoral ministry. Nick is the VP of Marketing for Subsplash and the Chief Strategist at Relational Advisory Group, a consulting and coaching firm that helps Christian marketplace and ministry leaders have a greater impact by integrating their emotional intelligence, communication, and development. Nick brings 20 years of proven, effective leadership in contexts as diverse as entertainment, higher education, ministry, and planting two churches. After spending four years in Mongolia and Seattle...
2021-05-2028 minThis Is Harbor NetworkRyan and Kate WelshNick and Kim Bogardus sit down with Ryan and Kate Welsh from Redeemer Church in Seattle, Washington. Ryan shares that he initially had no desire to work in ministry until the word of God became alive and real to him while attending a Christian college in his twenties. After some prompting by an admissions counselor, Ryan sought out a few youth pastor positions and was hired on at a church in Newberg, Oregon where he grew to care deeply for the students and people of the church. Ryan’s wife Kate speaks about her role in supporting her husband th...
2019-11-0741 minThis Is Harbor NetworkNick and Kim BogardusRonnie and Melissa Martin talk to Nick and Kim Bogardus from Cross of Christ church in Orange County, CA about their ministry journey and their personal experience with Harbor Network. Nick left Southern California where he had a home and a business to follow the Lord’s calling to Mongolia where Kim was working in the Peace Corps. It was in Mongolia that Nick experienced intensive ministry for the first time while teaching through the Bible and preaching with the help of a translator. Nick and Kim share about their encounter with the over-churched and the challenges they’ve face...
2019-06-2043 min