The Worship Catalyst Podcast

Hosted by Worship Catalyst

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Episodes

150

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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 Handley Season 2: From Attending to Encountering God w/co-host Corey Coogan Season 3: What Worship Leaders Need to Know from Seminary w/co-host Stephen Handley The 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.com Facebook: facebook.com/worshipcatalyst Instagram: instagram.com/worshipcatalyst Youtube: youtube.com/worshipcatalyst ---------- The Worship Catalyst Podcast used to be called the Worship Leader Essentials podcast! You can still find all previous episodes here!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 10, 2026Episode 223 min

Mentoring Worship Leaders: A Simple, Repeatable Process

Send us Fan Mail Who is training you to lead worship? And who are you training? If you're the only person on your team who knows how to lead, this episode gives you a clear, repeatable process for changing that. In Episode 2 of Season 9, "What Every Worship Leader Needs to Know," Austin Ryan sits down with Joe Lindamood, Dean of the School of Music and Worship at Baptist University of Florida, to unpack the most important of the three ways worship leaders get trained: mentoring and discipleship. Joe walks through the exact four steps he uses to develop a worship leader, and how to find a mentor of your own. In this episode: • Joe's four-step mentoring process: explain and model, give responsibility, debrief, repeat • Why you start by knowing the person, not by handing out tasks • How to get past skill-building into a real relationship (it starts with coffee) • Why most worship leaders were never discipled themselves • How to find a mentor you can trust, and whether it could be your pastor • How to avoid burnout by not being the only one pouring into your team • Calling vs. availability: how to spot a future worship leader • Why you can hold your volunteers with open hands Homework: write down the names of three people on your team with talent, even if your team is only one person. Invite each of them to coffee, ask about a role they might want to play beyond what they're already doing, and challenge them to consider becoming a worship leader. Support the show Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com .

October 27, 2026Episode 120 min

How to Know If a Worship Leader Is Ready to Lead

Send us Fan Mail 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 best starting point for a new worship leader - Leading people who've been discouraged: grace first, then truth - Who should decide when someone is ready to lead - The doctrine and skills every worship leader needs, and what worship really is - Why you don't need a college degree to train worship leaders in your church Homework: write down 1-2 things you do well as a worship leader and 1-2 areas where you need to grow. Support the show Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com .

October 13, 202639 min

What These Worship Leaders Wish They Knew Sooner | Bonus Episode

Send us Fan Mail 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 purpose, why you can't do ministry alone, and remembering people are the ministry — not the music - Lane Wood: prioritizing personal spiritual health, people over programs, and presence over performance - Marje Cenabre: working on the desire God gives you, worship as a lifestyle rather than a stage, and embracing a new season of life - Stephen Handley: why leadership isn't glamorous but is still worth it, chasing God's approval instead of man's applause, and why rest has to be rhythmic - Joe Kibbey: be humble or be humbled, serving God's people instead of your own vision, and replacing yourself by developing other leaders This bonus episode wraps up our season, One Voice, Many Languages. If you haven't listened yet, go back and check out the full series on multilingual worship leading. Support the show Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com .

September 29, 2026Episode 435 min

One Voice, Many Languages: The Results

Send us Fan Mail 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 - How to actually unite a congregation instead of just adding a token song - What to consider before you take this step in your own church This is the fourth and final full episode in a season exploring multilingual worship leading — theory, practice, and results. A bonus episode is coming soon. Support the show Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com .

September 15, 2026Episode 325 min

One Voice, Many Languages: Worship Planning

Send us Fan Mail 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 service rhythm - Whole songs vs. blending languages within a single song - Who actually makes the final call on song selection This is the third episode in a season exploring multilingual worship leading — theory, practice, and results. New episodes every two weeks. Support the show Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com .

September 1, 2026Episode 226 min

One Voice, Many Languages: The Nuts & Bolts

Send us Fan Mail 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 help with pronunciation and feel - Instrumentation changes when singing in a different language - What it's like leading six languages in a single joint service This is the second episode in a season exploring multilingual worship leading — theory, practice, and results. Support the show Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com .

August 18, 2026Episode 137 min

One Voice, Many Languages: The Theory Behind Multilingual Worship

Send us Fan Mail 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 use, and is English still primary? - The congregation and community realities that led to this shift - How the decision was first made - Whether it's a settled choice or an ongoing conversation - What to look for if you're considering adding a language to your worship This is the first episode in a season exploring multilingual worship leading — theory, practice, and results. New episodes every two weeks. Support the show Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com .

May 19, 2026Episode 324 min

Engaging the Congregation in Worship

Send us Fan Mail 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 role of song selection in engagement -How to involve your team in the responsibility of leading people If you want your worship leadership to go beyond performance and truly connect with people, this episode is for you. Support the show Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com .

May 5, 2026Episode 224 min

Leading Worship Band Practice Well

Send us Fan Mail 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 improving If you’ve ever felt like rehearsals could be better—or you’re not sure what “good” looks like—this episode gives you practical tools you can apply immediately. Support the show Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com .

April 22, 2026Episode 123 min

A Week in the Life of a Worship Leader

Send us Fan Mail 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-term faithfulness in ministry Whether you’re leading in a church, volunteering on a team, or just curious what happens behind the scenes, this episode gives you an honest look at the life of a worship leader. Support the show Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram for more content on worship leading every week. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst. A non-profit ministry that serves churches by training, mentoring and coaching worship leaders and their teams. For more information about Worship Catalyst or for more resources to help you become a better worship leader, visit worshipcatalyst.com .