The Worship Catalyst Podcast
The Worship Catalyst Podcast is a podcast designed to train and inspire you to be a more godly leader. Each season, Austin and a co-host dive into different topics about worship. Season 1: Sports & Worship Leading w/co-host Stephen HandleySeason 2: From Attending to Encountering God w/co-host Corey CooganSeason 3: What Worship Leaders Need to Know from Seminary w/co-host Stephen HandleyThe Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches through training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams.For more information: Website: www.worshipcatalyst.comFacebook: facebook.com/worshipcatalystInstagram: instagram.com/worshipcatalystYoutube: youtube.com/worshipcatalyst----------The Wo...
How to Know If a Worship Leader Is Ready to Lead
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Most churches do almost nothing to train worship leaders. In Episode 1 of Season 9, "What Every Worship Leader Needs to Know," Austin Ryan sits down with Joe Lindamood to lay out what a ready worship leader looks like, and how any church, even a small one, can start developing them.
In this episode:
- The two things to look for in a worship leader: spiritual and skillful
- How to tell if someone is spiritually ready (look for fruit, not just words)
- Why feeling lost can be the...
What These Worship Leaders Wish They Knew Sooner | Bonus Episode
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What do you get when you ask five worship leaders with over 100 combined years of ministry experience the same question? In this bonus episode, David Anderson, Lane Wood, Marje Cenabre, Stephen Handley, and Joe Kibbey — the same five leaders from our season on multilingual worship — share the top three things they've learned in ministry.
The answers go far beyond music: burnout, humility, developing other leaders, spiritual health, and what it actually means to serve people instead of a platform.
In this episode:
- David Anderson: doing everything on purp...
One Voice, Many Languages: The Results
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Does singing in another language actually matter? In the final full episode of One Voice, Many Languages, our worship leaders share what they've actually seen God do since incorporating other languages into their services, along with the real challenges and honest counsel for churches considering this step.
In this episode:
- The moment a congregation "went bonkers" hearing worship in their own language
- Feedback and stories worship leaders never expected
- The real risk of division between language groups, and how to guard against it
...
One Voice, Many Languages: Worship Planning
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Where do you even find a worship song translated into Korean, Nepali, or Bisaya? In Episode 3 of One Voice, Many Languages, our worship leaders get practical about planning: where they source songs, how they choose between languages week to week, and whether they sing whole songs or blend languages within one.
In this episode:
- Where to find songs in other languages — resources, contacts, and workarounds
- Western songs translated vs. songs written natively in the culture
- How often "the other language" shows up in a normal se...
One Voice, Many Languages: The Nuts & Bolts
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How do you actually learn a worship song in another language — and make it feel like it means something, not just sounds? In Episode 2 of One Voice, Many Languages, we get practical with our worship leaders about the real nuts and bolts of multilingual worship: song selection, pronunciation, instrumentation, and leaning on native speakers to get it right.
In this episode:
- Whole songs vs. just the chorus — how leaders decide
- Learning pronunciation and memorization from scratch, without knowing the language
- How native speakers on the team...
One Voice, Many Languages: The Theory Behind Multilingual Worship
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America is changing — and so is the sound of its churches. In this opening episode of One Voice, Many Languages, we sit down with five worship leaders to explore the theory behind multilingual worship: why they do it, how the decision was made, and what to consider if you're thinking about adding another language to your own services.
Guests: Joe Kibbey (Columbus, OH), Lane Wood (Coral Springs, FL), Marje Cenabre (Philippines), David Anderson (Kansas City), and Steven Handley (Miami, FL).
In this episode:
- What languages do you us...
Engaging the Congregation in Worship
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Leading worship isn’t just about singing songs—it’s about engaging people with God.
In this final episode of the season, Austin Ryan and Jaren Mooring talk about what it really means to lead a congregation in worship that connects, moves, and points people toward Jesus.
You’ll learn:
-How to recognize real engagement in a congregation
-Ways to prepare spiritually and practically for leading
-Tools for connecting from the platform (speaking, prayer, Scripture)
-How relationships off the platform impact leadership on it
-The...
Leading Worship Band Practice Well
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Band practice happens every week—but not every rehearsal is effective.
In this episode, Austin Ryan and Jaren Mooring break down what it actually takes to lead a productive, engaging, and spiritually healthy worship rehearsal.
They cover:
 How to prepare for band practice as a leader  How to get your team to come prepared  Structuring rehearsals for efficiency and growth  Balancing musical excellence with discipleship  Creating space for creativity while maintaining direction  Keeping your team motivated and improvingÂIf you’ve ever felt like rehearsals could be better—...
A Week in the Life of a Worship Leader
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What does a worship leader actually do all week?
In this episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin Ryan sits down with worship leader Jaren Mooring to walk through a real, behind-the-scenes look at his weekly schedule—from service planning and rehearsals to meetings, family life, and personal rhythms with God.
You’ll get practical insight into:
 How a typical worship leader structures their week  When and how services are planned  The balance between church responsibilities and personal life  Daily rhythms that help prevent burnout  What drives long-t...How Jesus Cared for His Team
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Jesus didn’t just preach truth—He cared deeply for the people He led.
In the final episode of the season, Austin Ryan and Lane Wood look to Jesus as the ultimate example of soul care and leadership. By examining key moments from the Gospels, they uncover how Jesus taught, served, rested, corrected, empowered, and loved His team.
This episode explores:
How Jesus invested deeply in peopleWhy compassion drove His leadershipHow He balanced mission and careWhat modern leaders can copy from His exampleWhy soul care has alwa...10 Ways Leaders Can Care for Their Own Soul
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If leaders aren’t healthy, teams eventually suffer.
In Episode 4, Austin Ryan and Lane Wood turn the conversation inward, exploring 10 non-negotiable ways leaders must care for themselves spiritually, emotionally, physically, and relationally.
This honest conversation addresses:
Why neglecting health leads to burnout and failureWhat “healthy leadership” really looks likeDaily, weekly, and seasonal practices that fill your tankThe difference between guilt-driven leadership and grace-filled leadershipWhy self-care isn’t selfish—it’s stewardshipIf you want to finish strong instead of flaming out, this episode is essential.
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When Your Team Spans Generations: How to Lead Well
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Most leaders don’t lead uniform teams—they lead beautifully messy ones.
In this episode, Austin Ryan and Lane Wood tackle one of the biggest leadership challenges today: caring for teams made up of wildly different ages, backgrounds, personalities, and experiences.
From teenagers to retirees, new believers to seasoned saints, this conversation offers practical wisdom for leading diverse teams with unity and grace.
You’ll discover:
How to lead both older and younger team members with honorWays to cast vision across generationsHow to foster real r...23 Proven Ways to Keep Your Team Healthy
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Healthy teams don’t happen by accident—they’re built with intentional care.
In Episode 2 of The Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin Ryan and Lane Wood get incredibly practical, sharing 23 (plus!) proven ways to keep teams spiritually healthy, connected, and thriving. Whether you lead staff, volunteers, creatives, or a small group, these ideas are designed to work in real life with real people.
You’ll learn:
Whose responsibility team health really isSimple ways to pastor people without being overwhelmedHow prayer, encouragement, Scripture, and community shape cultureCreative ways to build...Soul Care for Leaders: Why It Matters More Than You Think
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Soul Care is a phrase leaders hear often—but few truly understand or practice.
In this opening episode of Season 6 of The Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin Ryan sits down with worship leader Lane Wood to define what soul care really is—and why it matters for every leader. This isn’t self-help or self-indulgence. It’s learning to live and lead by grace, using the strength and resources God provides.
Together, Austin and Lane unpack:
What soul care actually means (and what it doesn’t)Why caring for...How to Build the Team of Your Dreams: Co-Leadership Builds Stronger Teams
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Season 5: How to Build the Team of Your Dreams
Episode 4: How Co-Leadership Builds Stronger Teams | The 3 Covenants
What if leadership didn’t have to be lonely?
In this final episode of the Worship Catalyst Podcast series Building the Team of Your Dreams, Austin Ryan and Ben Barfield unpack what it looks like to lead together without losing unity. Drawing from nearly 20 years of co-leading churches and organizations, they reveal the 5 biggest benefits of co-leadership—and practical ways to make it work.
If you’ve ever wrestled with q...
How to Build the Team of Your Dreams: Building a Healthy Team Culture that Lasts
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Season 5: How to Build the Team of Your Dreams
Episode 3: How to Build a Healthy Team Culture That LastsÂ
You’ve heard what the 3 Covenants are—now it’s time to learn how to actually live them out.
In this episode of the Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin Ryan and Ben Barfield share practical ways to implement and reinforce the 3 Covenants in your ministry, business, or organization. If you’ve ever wondered how to build trust that lasts or how to create a culture of unity on your team, this epis...
How to Build the Team of Your Dreams: 11 Reasons for Covenant Relationships
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Season 5: How to Build the Team of Your Dreams
Episode 2: Build Loyal Teams That LastÂ
What if the secret to building loyal, drama-free teams wasn’t about management strategy—but about relationships?
In this episode of the Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin Ryan and Ben Barfield share 11 powerful reasons why living in covenant relationships can transform your team. Drawing from their book The 3 Covenants: Building Team Loyalty, they reveal how trust, unity, and accountability can turn any group—church staff, business team, or classroom—into a family on mission.
...
How to Build the Team of Your Dreams: The 3 Covenants
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Season 5: How to Build the Team of Your Dreams
Episode 1: The 3 Covenants: End Workplace Conflict & Build Trust
Not every person on every team gets along—and that can derail the mission fast. In this episode of the Worship Catalyst Podcast, host Austin Ryan sits down with long-time ministry partner Ben Barfield to introduce The 3 Covenants: Building Team Loyalty. Together, they unpack the simple but powerful commitments that have kept them leading side by side for over 20 years. Whether you lead in ministry, business, education, or sports, these principles can help yo...
Perspectives from the Pew: What Does A Church Member Expect From A Worship Pastor?
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What does a church member expect from his pastor and other staff? What relationship with God does he expect church leaders to have? And how does he want pastors to join him in his evangelistic efforts? These are some of the questions Austin Ryan asks series guest Joe Penovich as they bring this series to a close. The answers to these and other questions might surprise you!
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Perspectives from the Pew: What Theology are we Missing in our Songs
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Are we singing the right things? If someone came to our church and listened to our song list for 6 months, would they capture the basic core theologies of the church and scripture? Many worship songs include the themes of grace, love, hope, healing, power and the goodness of God. But do we sing many songs about how God causes sickness and darkness? In this episode of the Worship Catalyst podcast, Austin Ryan sits down again with Joe Penovich to discuss the one core Biblical teaching that we often miss when we choose the...
Perspectives from the Pew: Hearing the Holy Spirit While Leading Worship
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Hopefully every worship leader and pastor wants to lead in the power of the Holy Spirit. Hearing His voice and knowing that He is leading in us and through us is the only way we want to lead. But…are you leading that way? And what is the pattern of life that can lead to you finally experiencing this power you desire. In this episode, Austin sits down again with Joe Penovich as they discuss a process of knowing God and praying in His Spirit that will empower us to live and lead fr...
Perspectives from the Pew: The Worship Pattern that Facilitates True Worship
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Is your church service more like the cry of Israel to God or a high quality professional presentation? Is it possible to have both? In this episode of the Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin sits down with Joe Penovich and looks at scriptures that talk about singing and what the patterns should be in our worship gatherings. Together, they also ask the question, “In what ways are we artificially manufacturing a moment of praise in our congregations?”Â
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Perspectives from the Pew: Leading Worship IN and WITH the Holy Spirit
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Has worship music become a counterfeit of the Holy Spirit? Do you ever feel like you are leading well, but it doesn’t feel led or empowered by the Spirit of God? In this episode of the Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin begins a conversation with Business owner and serial entrepreneur Joe Penovich as they start to unravel the mysteries of worshiping God in a way that people interact with God’s Holy Spirit. They discuss how self-motivated Christianity has led nowhere and start to ask the question - “should we even be singing songs...
Digging Deep: 5 Questions to Answer when Planning Your Services
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Planning worship services that truly serve your congregation requires wisdom and intentionality. In our final episode, we're addressing five essential questions every worship leader should consider when planning services. Your answers to these questions will shape how your church experiences corporate worship.
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Digging Deep: Writing Great Songs for Your Church
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For those called to write songs for the local church, today's episode is crucial. We're exploring seven fundamental principles of worship songwriting that you must never forget. Whether you're just starting or have been writing for years, these insights will sharpen your craft.
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Digging Deep: 7 Spiritual Disciplines of Every Worship Leader
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A worship leader's effectiveness flows from their personal walk with God. In this episode, we're diving into seven essential spiritual disciplines that will sustain and strengthen your ministry. These timeless practices will deepen your relationship with God and enhance your leadership.
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Digging Deep: 7 Influential Worship Leaders
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From the early church to modern worship movements, certain leaders have shaped how we approach worship. Today, we're exploring seven influential figures whose insights and examples continue to guide worship ministry. Their stories will inspire and challenge your own leadership journey.
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Digging Deep: 4 Reasons Your Worship Team Must Prioritize Evangelism
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Why should evangelism be at the heart of your worship ministry? Today, we're examining four compelling reasons your team needs to embrace evangelism as a core value. Discover how worship and outreach naturally flow together in God's kingdom work.
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Digging Deep: 8 Practical Ways to Lead Your Music Teams
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Excellence in worship doesn't happen by accident. In this episode, we're sharing eight practical strategies to build and nurture an exceptional worship ministry. From rehearsal techniques to team dynamics, you'll gain tools to elevate your ensemble's effectiveness.
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Digging Deep: 4 Things Worship Leaders MUST Know About Theology and Ecclesiology
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Understanding the church and its beliefs isn't just for seminary students. Today, we're breaking down four essential concepts about theology and ecclesiology that will deepen your ministry's impact and help you lead with greater theological clarity.
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Digging Deep: 6 Ways to Disciple Your Worship Team
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Your worship team is more than just a group of musicians – they're disciples on a journey. Today, we're exploring six powerful ways to cultivate spiritual growth within your team. Discover how to transform your rehearsals and other connection points into opportunities for meaningful discipleship.
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Digging Deep: 6 Action Steps for Guiding the Worship Ministry
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Every worship leader knows that building a thriving ministry takes more than musical talent. In today's episode, we're diving into six practical action items that will help you guide and grow your worship ministry with purpose and vision. Get ready to take your leadership to the next level.
Season 3: Digging Deep: What Worship Leaders Need to Know From Seminary
Episode 2: 6 Action Steps for Guiding the Worship Ministry
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Digging Deep: 4 Truths Worship Leaders Need to Know from Old and New Testaments
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Welcome to Season 3 of the Worship Catalyst Podcast! This series is called Digging Deep, where we're uncovering essential seminary wisdom for worship leaders. In the first episode, Austin and Stephen are laying the foundation by exploring four critical insights about the Old and New Testaments that every worship leader needs to understand. Whether you're selecting songs or crafting liturgy, these biblical principles will transform how you approach worship ministry.
Season 3: Digging Deep: What Worship Leaders Need to Know From Seminary
Episode 1: 4 Truths Worship Leaders Need to Know from Both Testaments<...
BONUS: How to Implement A Producer in Your Church Services
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So…you have said YES to incorporating a producer into your weekend services. Great choice! In this second episode in our producer series, we will take a dive into the kind of people you’re looking for to coordinate your services, some best practices on training them, and some tools to help you along the way. This is part 2 of 2 of these bonus episodes.
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BONUS: 4 Reasons You NEED a Producer for Your Church Services
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The time has come! We have a solution for you that will help maximize your own personal leadership gifting each and every weekend service. If you help lead a big church, small church, medium church, old church, new church or any other kind of church, this podcast is for you! The solution is to incorporate a producer, or service coordinator, onto your weekend team. In this episode, Austin sits down with Cami Ryan and Stephen Handley to discuss the 4 reasons you need a service coordinator TODAY, as well as this role’s 7 primary fu...
From Attending to Encountering God: What to Say Between Songs
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Most worship leaders struggle knowing exactly what to say between songs. It is challenging to focus on music, the congregation, the team, and their conversation with God all the while trying to say something meaningful. In this episode, Austin and Corey will talk through some simple strategies to hear from God and design simple and powerful things that will help your congregation go from attending a gathering to encountering God.
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From Attending to Encountering God: 4 Things we MUST Know About Worship
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In helping people encounter God as we praise Him together, it’s important that leaders, as well as people in the congregation, understand what the Bible actually says about worship. It can be overwhelming because the Bible mentions worship hundreds of times. Understanding what it means can be difficult. In fact, worship leaders and pastors have made it even more confusing. In this episode, Austin and Corey unpack four short passages that give every leader a solid Biblical framework from which to lead people to encounter God.
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From Attending to Encountering God: 5 Ways to Generate Energy in Your Services
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Sometimes church feels like a celebration…other times it feels like a funeral. In either case, it helps people encounter God when there is energy. So, where does energy come from in a service…and what can we do as leaders to help foster an energetic environment? In this episode, Austin and Corey will discuss five ways to help build more energy in your services.Â
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From Attending to Encountering God: 19 Creative Ideas for Your Worship Services
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Are you fresh out of creative ideas for your worship services? In the last episode, Austin and Corey talked about how God made our brains to learn, urging us to use the creativity God has given us to tell His story in beautiful ways. But, where do we start? This episode gives 19 practical, simple things you can do as you plan your service, that will help your congregation encounter God.
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From Attending to Encountering God: The Science of Boredom
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Have you ever wondered why some people seem disconnected in your church services? Are there some things we can do to help them encounter God? In this episode, Austin and Corey discuss how God, the great neuroscientist, made our brains to learn in miraculous ways. Understanding this can help us plan amazing services that help our congregations encounter God.
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