Phil Cooke Podcast

What is behind the emerging Islamic strongholds in major American cities? In this interview, Michael A. Youssef sounds a wake-up call to government leaders, pastors and Christian believers as he joins Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com to discuss his newest book, "An Unholy Alliance: How Progressivism Brought About an Islamist Invasion." A naturalized U.S. citizen who grew up under an Islamic dictatorship in Egypt, Youseff exposes the truth behind the alliance between radical Islamists and progressive political movements and the implications for Western Judeo-Christian civilization in America.

With extensive research and a unique perspective on faith...

What do you do when you're up against a wall and you have to be creative? Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com offers 10 tips to help you stay creative when the pressure's on. Based on his book, "Ideas on a Deadline: How to Be Creative When the Clock is Ticking," these proven principles will help creative leaders ramp up their creativity to meet deadlines with brilliance. Whether you are a designer, writer, musician, filmmaker or a business executive, you'll find out how to overcome mind blocks and deliver great ideas when you need them most.

👉 Listen now and tra...

Is your nonprofit bogged down by administrative tasks? Learn how to streamline your operations by outsourcing your back office. Join Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com in this conversation with Shae Hinson, founder of Accordus, as they discuss the benefits of moving beyond traditional staffing models to outsourcing essential roles, allowing your team to focus on the mission rather than the paperwork. Whether you are struggling with the complexities of nonprofit accounting or need a more reliable approach to database systems, marketing, fundraising and administrative duties, this conversation offers practical solutions for outsourcing that enables your organization to grow and...

How do you deal with criticism? If you're a creative person, you'll eventually run into people who don't recognize your talent or your potential. With examples drawn from the lives of Walt Disney, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Spielberg and more creative greats, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com shares four key points to help you respond to criticism in a way that will lead to creative growth.

"Just because people don't recognize your talent doesn't mean it's not there." —Phil Cooke

👉 Listen now and transform your creative leadership career!

Phil Cooke, Ph.D. — Strategic Advisor | Cultura...

What happens when a church leadership team begins to slowly drift? The warning signs may be subtle—but over time, they can damage trust, create division, and undermine the health of the entire church. In this interview, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com sits down with Chris Sonksen, founding pastor of SouthHills Church and founder of ChurchBOOM, to uncover six subtle behaviors that can tear leadership teams apart—and what senior pastors can do before small issues become major problems.

Chris shares practical wisdom on how to recognize leadership drift, including pride in your leadership team, artificial harmony in l...

Failure can knock you down or move you forward! If the bottom just dropped out in your creative career, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com offers 5 keys to help you gain resilience and come back stronger. Many of your ideas are going to fail – but if you're not failing on a regular basis, you're not pushing the envelope very hard. Here's how to turn failure into success.

"Don't let failure derail your dream. Your failure does not define you." —Phil Cooke

Phil Cooke, Ph.D. — Strategic Advisor | Cultural Influence & Crisis Leadership Phil Cooke, Ph.D., is a stra...

In today's design-driven world, creativity is more important than ever before. If you're leading a creative team, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com highlights five ways leaders can create a work culture where ideas flow and creatives thrive. Inspire and challenge your creative team and they'll do amazing things for your organization.

Phil Cooke, Ph.D. — Strategic Advisor | Cultural Influence & Crisis Leadership Phil Cooke, Ph.D., is a strategic advisor to church, nonprofit, and media leaders navigating crisis, credibility, and cultural influence in a rapidly changing digital world. Founder of Cooke Media Group in Los Angeles and Nashville, he...

Trauma can be a one-time event or a cumulation of crisis events – but most leaders ignore the symptoms that lead to post traumatic stress. In this conversation, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com sits down with Steve Robinson, pastor of Church of the King in New Orleans, to talk about his book, "Soul Leadership: Rebound from Crisis, Grow in Resilience, Live from Wholeness." Based on Steve's personal journey of healing after a meltdown, this interview will help leaders struggling with mental health and emotional trauma to find the pathway to recovery through the integration of theology, therapy and neural science.

Does your church have a crisis communication plan? In this interview, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com talks with David Middlebrook, one of the country's leading practitioners in religious nonprofit organizations law and founder of The Church Lawyers. David's team provides legal support to churches, ministries and nonprofits, domestically and internationally, with years of experience helping churches with crisis planning and crisis management. In this interview, you'll gain practical wisdom on how to:

👉 Prepare a crisis communication plan👉 Develop a crisis communication team👉 Implement risk management, spot red flags and avoid a crisis👉 Manage media relations during a crisis and...

"When guys have moral failure, I always ask them, 'What got you there?'" Helping pastors and ministry leaders avoid burnout is the topic of today's conversation as Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com sits down with Josh Turner, founder of the 10Ten Project. Josh has dedicated his life to helping Christian men flourish in their calling and in every area of life. If you're a pastor or ministry leader, the 10Ten project offers connection, coaching and care for spiritual, emotional and mental health as you serve the Lord.

"We give pastors a safe place to say dangerous...

If you're having trouble getting your ideas heard, media executive Phil Cooke's https://philcooke.com three rules for pitching will help you share your creative vision with clarity and confidence. Whether you're pitching a film idea, business idea, creative project or ministry vision, these pro tips will help you connect with the people who can make your dream happen.

👉 Listen now and transform your creative leadership career!

Rate and subscribe for more tips on faith, media and culture for executive pastors, nonprofit leaders, and church media and communications creatives.

Get the book: "Ideas on...

What should Christian leadership and accountability look like in today's church? Join Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com for this insightful conversation with Larry Stockstill, founder of Pastors University, as he shares hard-earned wisdom from over 50 years in ministry. This conversation dives deep into leadership accountability, crisis communication, pastoral integrity, and mentoring the next generation of leaders. If you're a pastor or ministry leader, this episode will equip you to lead with integrity and build sustainable leadership structures that last.

Larry Stockstill is the founder of Pastors University and former pastor of Bethany Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana...

Want to get your film distributed by Angel Studios? In this in-depth conversation, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com sits down with Jared Geesey (EVP of International Distribution at Angel Studios) to break down the Angel Studios submission process, how the Angel Guild works, and what filmmakers need to know to secure a distribution deal.

If you're an indie filmmaker looking for film distribution opportunities, this episode reveals how Angel's audience-driven model is changing the industry—giving YOU the chance to get your project reviewed, improved, and potentially released in theaters. Watch now and transform your filmmaking career!

What is your church known for in your community? In this episode, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com sits down with church branding strategist Mark MacDonald to uncover the real reason many churches don't grow and what church leaders can do to fix it. Discover how churches can stop being known for what they're against and start becoming known for what they're for—using practical branding and communication strategies that actually help people find and understand your church.

If your church wants to grow, stand out, and truly matter in your community, this conversation will challenge the way yo...

Launching a ministry or nonprofit — and feeling terrified about fundraising? In this conversation, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com sits down with fundraising strategist David Baker of Giving Design to discuss what truly drives generosity and how to build a strong sustainable funding foundation from day one. This is your Fundraising 101 to gain the mindset behind successful donor development! Find out what motivates giving, the role of story in casting vision and sharing impact, and the biggest fundraising mistake most churches and nonprofits make.

Whether you're launching a brand-new ministry, growing a nonprofit organization, or rethinking your fundraising st...

What is your church known for – and is that perception helping or hindering the gospel? In this episode, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com and church branding strategist and author Mark MacDonald discuss how churches can develop a branding and communications strategy that clarifies their message, reshapes their perception and helps them rise above the noise of today's culture. Bonus! Gain tips on creativity and what to do when your ideas are rejected.

📊 Research shows that 85% of non-believers would visit a church if someone invited them—but perception matters. This conversation challenges churches to rethink how they communicate, who the...

A crisis doesn't have to break your church or organization. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Mark Rutland, Executive Director of the National Institute of Leadership and founder of Global Servants, joins Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com to share hard-earned insights on leading through crisis, turnaround leadership, and building a lasting leadership legacy. Drawing from firsthand experience in crisis management at Southeastern University, Calvary Church, and Oral Roberts University, Dr. Rutland explains why crisis isn't always about scandal—and why vision, systems analysis, and truth-telling are essential for renewal and growth.

👉 Watch now and transform your creative career!Like...

Here's how to transform your church communications strategy with processes that really work. In this episode, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com talks with Brady Shearer, founder of Pro Church Tools, about practical ways to simplify your church media, clarify your message, and reach more people online. From repurposing sermons and building better content systems to leading creative teams with vision, Brady shares the mindset and methods that help churches communicate with excellence. Learn why attention is the most valuable commodity your church can possess—and how to use it to share the greatest message of all time.

👉 Watch...

Is direct mail still relevant in today's digital world? In this insightful interview, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com talks with Mark Dreistadt, founder and president of Infinity Concepts, about why direct mail remains the foundation of successful fundraising—and how digital tools like email, Google ads, social media, and text-to-give options are transforming donor engagement for nonprofits and ministries.

Discover practical fundraising tactics, donor acquisition strategies, and how to balance traditional and digital communication to maximize results. Learn why relationship building, speed of donor response, and a well-articulated vision are key to growing your ministry or nonprofit or...

Discover how to inspire generosity for your fundraising efforts through storytelling. In this episode, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com talks with author and producer Paul Steven Forrest about the power of video for nonprofit fundraising and how your organization can use it to share your ministry's vision effectively. Learn how to create videos that connect emotionally with your audience and motivate donors to give — without pressure or manipulation. Whether you're looking for fundraising ideas for churches, creative nonprofit fundraising strategies, or storytelling tips that move people to action, this conversation will help you produce videos that make an impact.

Times Square and The Sphere in Las Vegas will be lighting up this November as YouVersion celebrates "Beyond a Billion" downloads of its Bible app. Join Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com in this conversation with Bobby Gruenewald, founder and CEO of YouVersion to talk about the upcoming event and new features of the Bible app for churches and individuals. A free download, the Bible app provides 2,300 versions of the Bible in over 70 languages, daily inspiration with Bible verses for healing, anxiety, sleep, marriages, and more; plus devotional plans for women, devotionals for men, and even devotionals for kids.

Can anyone predict the future? While Hollywood and media experts try to figure out what's next, media consultant Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com shares 5 essential strategies for embracing uncertainty and building resilience in today's chaotic culture.

🔑 What You'll Learn: ✅ How to get comfortable with uncertainty and think strategically about alternatives ✅ Why focusing on your team is crucial for navigating change ✅ The importance of understanding and communicating with your stakeholders ✅ How to choose the right advisors and counsel for your vision ✅ Learning to listen to God's voice in popular culture and media

📖 Key Topics Covered:

Transitions in ministry leadership can make or break an organization. Join Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com in a conversation with Steve Woodworth, CEO of Masterworks as they unpack the secrets to a successful ministry succession and how leaders can pass the baton with wisdom and humility. Whether you are a pastor, board member, ministry founder, or nonprofit CEO, these insights will help you navigate leadership change with confidence.

Get my FREE DOWNLOAD and transform your creative leadership skills when you sign up for my newsletter here: https://www.philcooke.com/subscribe/

👉 New Masterclasses

Chu...

Join Phil Cooke as he interviews Leray Heyne, a visionary CEO and founder of Jesus Christ's CEOs, transforming the Christian Business landscape. https://philcooke.com This powerful conversation explores how Christian Entrepreneurs and business leaders can thrive in today's marketplace, influence culture, and lead with Kingdom values. Learn how to integrate faith and leadership, discover opportunities in the influencer marketplace, and turn your business into a true Kingdom business that impacts lives.

Whether you're an established CEO or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, this episode is packed with wisdom, strategy, and encouragement to help you succeed without...

Do you struggle with understanding the Bible? I've found that only when you start to understand the cultural context, will you start to understand scripture. In this video, as a producer and media executive with a PhD in Theology, https://philcooke.com I share the single greatest way I've found to study the Bible using a chronological Bible. Find out my recommendations that will revolutionize your Bible study and elevate your understanding of God's plan for your life and career.

👉 Listen now and transform your creative career!

Get my FREE DOWNLOAD and transform your creative lea...

Go behind the scenes of The Sphere in Las Vegas as Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com interviews Head of Physical Production, Ralph Winter. Proven to be one of Hollywood's most profitable assets with blockbusters including X-MEN, PLANET OF THE APES, and WOLVERINE, Ralph takes us inside the production process of The Sphere's cinematic experience, including award-winning director Darren Aronofsky's "Postcard from Earth" produced for the Las Vegas venue. Includes inside information on filming with the Big Sky Camera featuring a 165-degree wide field of view, produced for the world's largest high-definition LED screen with 164,000 speakers in the building.

What's the fastest way to get fired from your job? In this episode, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com exposes unethical behaviors that can abruptly end your career. From minor breaches of trust to major confidentiality breaches, Phil offers a reality check for the digital world we live in. Based on his book, "Church on Trial: How to Protect Your Congregation, Mission and Reputation During a Crisis," whether you are in ministry, a nonprofit organization or in the corporate world, the same rules apply: The quickest way to get fired from your job is to violate trust through dishonesty or...

If you've ever felt awkward sharing the gospel, join media executive Phil Cooke in this insightful and entertaining conversation with J.John, internationally known evangelist, speaker, and author, as they explore how to effectively share the Gospel and make disciples in a modern, digital world.

In this interview, you'll gain actionable advice on:

· How to share the Gospel without feeling awkward

· Why many churches avoid evangelism—and how to change that

· How to be intentional in witnessing: praying, caring, and sharing

· What it means to live out your calling as an...

How do you lead a creative brainstorming session that produces results? Join Phil Cooke in this Part 2 interview with Executive Pastor Ben Stapley as we discuss how to implement and maximize a brainstorming session in a church or ministry setting. Plus, find out the difference between a church communications director and media director and who your first three hires should be as your church grows. Includes creative leadership tips on team building!

Get my FREE DOWNLOAD and transform your creative leadership skills when you sign up for my newsletter here: https://www.philcooke.com/subscribe/

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Are you considering PTZ cameras for your church worship service? Join Phil Cooke and Bryan Bailey, Director of Media at Prestonwood Baptist Church, to explore how one of the nation's leading churches is leveraging PTZ robotic cameras to transform church worship experiences.

Whether you're a church media director, on a media team, or training volunteers, this behind-the-scenes conversation is packed with practical and spiritual insights to help you:

· Integrate PTZ camera technology for smooth, multi-angle worship production

· Lead and empower volunteer teams with clarity and confidence

· Develop a m...

Are you passionate about Christian storytelling and dreaming of a career in faith-based filmmaking? Join media executive Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com and Ryan Grow, Executive Producer and Head of Lifeway Films, for a powerful and practical conversation that dives deep into the world of Christian movies and documentary filmmaking.

From pitching your first project to navigating story structure and the unique challenges of faith-driven media, Ryan shares industry insights, personal stories, and what it truly takes to create films that impact both hearts and culture. Learn how filmmakers can bridge the gap between church and cinema—an...

Church doesn't have to be boring! In this interview, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com talks with Executive Pastor Ben Stapley of Zarephath Christian Church to uncover creative, practical ways to revitalize your worship experience. Whether you're running a traditional or contemporary church service, these creative strategies will boost engagement, improve sermon retention, and help your congregation connect with God on a deeper level.

👉 Watch now and transform your creative career!Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more tips on creative leadership.

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What does it take to thrive in church media ministry? Join Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com for an inspiring conversation with Will Chapman, Online Minister at Cottonwood Creek Church and seasoned media director. Gain valuable insights on church media leadership, team building, communication, and the use of AI for church teams that can help you build an impactful media ministry within your church.

🔥 What You'll Learn:✅ Bridging the gap between pastors and media teams for better communication✅ Building and training a volunteer media team (why students make the best camera operators!)✅ Maximizing church technology—from lighting design to AI in me...

Ever wondered how reality TV and game show careers work behind the scenes? In this interview, showrunner-producer Sean Kelly and editor-producer Matthew McCartie with host Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com dive into the fascinating world of television production, sharing insider secrets about working on reality shows, game shows, and the creative process behind some of your favorite unscripted television programs, like Shark Tank, Biggest Loser, and Big Brother. If you're aspiring to break into the industry as a producer, editor, or showrunner, this video offers valuable insights from industry veterans.

Find out how to break into a...

Improv is not just for actors! Find out how improvisation skills can elevate your ability to land on your feet in any situation as Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com interviews Kelsey Cooke and Chris Guerra of thisishardtoread Productions and Oddity Improv. Together, they break down the values of improv classes for spontaneity, team collaboration, self-confidence, speaking skllls and for boosting creativity in any environment.

Join Chris and Kelsey as they share how improv can change the way you communicate, build teams, and approach creative challenges.

👉 Watch now and transform your creative career! Don't forget to lik...

Drone cameras, cable cameras (Spidercams) and jibs are showing up more and more in church services. Are they enhancing the worship experience or distracting the congregation? Church media consultant Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com shares best practices for church media directors and production teams on introducing new technology while capturing God-moments in meaningful ways.

👉 Watch now to gain skills in creative leadership.

Get my FREE DOWNLOAD and transform your creative leadership skills when you sign up for my newsletter here: https://www.philcooke.com/subscribe/

👉 New MasterclassesChurch on Trial—Crisis Management with Phil Cooke ht...

Media matters! Even if you're a small church or nonprofit, a qualified church media team can help you get your message out in a more impactful way. If you're wondering where to start and who to hire first, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com shares detailed information on roles, qualifications and even pay scale to help you build a dynamic media team. Excellence matters, and having the right person in the right role for a tech person, media director and media consultant will help you make your media ministry a success.

👉 Watch now to gain skills in crisis man...

A crisis does not have to break your church or nonprofit organization. In this episode, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com offers an overview of crisis management based on his book and masterclass titled, "Church on Trial: How to Protect Your Congregation, Mission, and Reputation During a Crisis." Find out how to failsafe your ministry from a crisis with leadership tips on vetting employees, creating a healthy work culture, developing a crisis plan, and offering your employees crisis management training. A crisis can be an opportunity to strengthen your church to weather the storm.

Get my FREE DOWNLOAD...

Leading creative teams and managing projects often means balancing your artistic vision with the needs of clients, audiences, or stakeholders. In this video, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com dives deep into how to release creative control while staying true to your creativity and navigating the demands of business culture.

Whether you're a young creative or an experienced leader, understanding the dynamics of collaboration is essential. From graphic design to filmmaking, creativity is often a team effort, and releasing creative control is often part of the process. 💡 Includes Pro Tips for leading creative teams.

Get your cop...

How early is too early to plan your church Christmas pageant or program? In this episode, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com shares the "best of" Christmas podcasts for church media directors, choir directors and their teams to produce the best Christmas pageant or program ever! Go behind the scenes of the "The Gift of Christmas" stunning multi-media event as Phil interviews Prestonwood Church creative leaders Michael Neale, Andy Pearson, and Bryan Bailey to discuss the mindset, collaboration and planning of a successful church Christmas program. Then, get Phil's nine-point church media checklist to help your team produce a holiday...