Plant Strong Podcast

This episode covers a LOT of ground! Lisa interviews Katie Alesso, Connections Pastor at Thrive Los Angeles. Katie shares about how God has uniquely wired her for ministry through extroversion and relationships and how that all connects with her journey in church planting. You’ll also learn Katie’s definition of a Sunday afternoon mega-nap. Resources shared on the show today: Managing Leadership Anxiety By Steve Cuss Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero A Women of No Importance by Sonia Purnell

We’re kicking off 2021 with a bang! Stadia’s Director of New Church Growth and Multiplication, Tim Celek, talks about his experience starting and pastoring a church for 30 years. Tim also talks about using every single day for kingdom impact. This episode is packed with encouragement and Scripture—2 things every church planter needs this year! The Question Behind the Question by John G Miller The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

2020 has been quite the year! Lisa Bennett and Heidy Tandy look back and look ahead on this annual tradition of the Plant Strong Podcast. The ladies discuss ways to celebrate even in such a difficult year and some of their favorite things from 2020 (spoiler alert: they also discuss their preferred type of Christmas décor and reveal some new learnings about the Enneagram).

Jo Saxton is an author, speaker, church planter, and leadership coach. Her most recent book, Ready to Rise, released in April. This interview is from the 2020 Virtual Bloom Retreat, where Lisa asked Jo several questions directly from the Bloom Community. You will need a pen and paper for all of the knowledge that Jo drops in this episode! You can also check out Jo’s leadership coaching that she references at https://www.josaxton.com/coaching.

This powerful episode features Pastor Irene Rollins: she shares her story of transformation from addiction and working through trauma (*you may want to give this one a pre-listen prior to having littles around). This episode is one of healing and hope. You’ll even smile at how God brings light into even the darkest of moments on the church planting journey.   Boundaries for Leaders- Dr. Henry Cloud Changes that Heal- Dr. Henry Cloud Necessary Endings- Dr. Henry Cloud

Do you feel like your life is going in several different directions all at once? Kyra White—Church Planter, Wife, Mom, and School Principal from Detroit, Michigan—shares about how compartmentalizing different areas of your life is actually helpful and necessary. Lisa and Kyra also talk about the importance of boundaries with social media and how we can lead ourselves well in ministry to thrive instead of just survive.

Have you ever asked God why He wired you the way he did? Leilani Sizemore, Director of Operations at Creekside Church in North Paulding, GA, shares how God has used her strategic brain for impact in unexpected ways on the church planting journey. Leilani and Lisa also talk through loneliness in ministry and how to lean into Jesus with all of it. 

This episode is packed with wisdom from Valarie Grimes-- Lead Pastor of Radiant Church in Savannah, GA. Valarie shares her experience of hearing God’s voice through deep loss and pain. She also talks about the power of discipleship even through the unique challenges brought on by COVID-19.    

10 years in church planting! This is what we’re celebrating with Sheila Brown from Journey Church in Jackson, TN. Sheila looks back on her 10 years post-launch and shares some hard-earned wisdom from along the way.

What is Bloom all about? Spoiler alert: relationships. Whether you’re new to Bloom or have been engaged with this community for a while, this episode will help you dig more into why Bloom exists and how to get engaged and involved with other women who are maximizing their roles in starting churches.

Vicki Diller is the Community Pastor of Crossroads Columbus. She shares about her experience in launching a church during a global pandemic—something completely unexpected when the dream of planting a church first entered her story. Lisa and Vicki also talk through what it’s like to be a working mom and how Team Diller manages their busy life with intention.

Shannon Smith from Momentum Church in Cleveland, Ohio shares her story of learning about her own gifts and how she manages others’ expectations. She gives a ton of resources and tools for growth to help you on your church planting journey. You will surely want to grab a pen and paper for this episode!

Jan Limiero is incredibly full of wisdom. Hear her tell her story of pursuing silence and solitude in several stages of her life—including her amazing journey on the Camino De Santiago! This episode will empower you to start where you are and grow from there.

This episode keeps it real. Lisa interviews Jennifer Antonucci, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor—as well as a church planter! Jen and Lisa have a candid conversation about mental health through the lens of authentic relationships.

Let’s get to know Lisa Bennett! This episode lets you in on a conversation between two friends: Lisa Bennett and Heidy Tandy. Lisa shares her heart for the church, how to be intentional in your friendships, and where the podcast will be headed in this next era. There’s even a fun pop quiz that you don’t want to miss!

Pastor Noemi Chavez brings it on this episode of the Plant Strong Podcast! You’ll get to hear Noemi’s church planting journey and discover ways to empower others through advocacy and mentoring. We also talk about spiritual disciplines and how to find the unique ways that fill you up as you pour into others. braveglobal.org

Dawn Betts is a powerhouse leader and church planter. In addition to serving on the Stadia Team as a Project Manager, she helped to start Journey Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 2017 with her husband Matt. She talks about planting a diverse church in the unique community of Bowling Green and how she has found her sweet spot as a leader.   www.soulcare.com

This episode features Mary Frances Bowley. Mary is the Founder and Executive Director of Wellspring Living, a non-profit organization in Atlanta, GA that provides domestic sex trafficking victims and those at risk with specialized recovery services.  She shares about her passion to see lives transformed—a mission church planting women can definitely resonate with!   "Make it Zero" by Mary Francis Bowley Darkness to Light

This episode features Mike Clear: the Director of Children’s Strategy at The reThink Group. He shares about empowering the next generation and the importance of relationships and children—2 of Stadia’s values! This episode will encourage you to think about your own leadership legacy and how you empower others. Related Links:  thinkorange.com Parent Cue Podcast Parent Cue Resources When Relationships Matter by Orange Curriculum Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast Lead Small by Orange Curriculum Visioneering by Andy Stanley Rhett and Link - Good Mythical Morning Youtube Channel  

How do you recharge? Carrie Williams discusses how she lives life with intention—including going to Disney—and what burnout actually feels like. This episode will encourage you to reflect on what fills you up and what impact you want to have on the world! The Truth Republic Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley