You need to slow down. So many leaders are driven by the fear of falling behind, convinced that impact requires urgency. And in the frantic pace of the modern world, we forget that God never told us to sprint ahead; he invited us to walk alongside him. In the final episode of Season 6 of The Disrupters podcast, host Nicole Martin sits down with author, speaker, filmmaker, and VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer. In their conversation, Phil shares about the rapid rise and rapid fall of Big Idea Prod...
Jun 11, 2025•53 min•Season 6Ep. 10
Leaders are expected to meet increasingly high standards, but many are silently suffering under the pressure of constantly needing to perform. But God never called us to perform—He called us to be relational people. In this episode of The Disrupters , host Nicole Martin is joined by Sheila Wise Rowe and Dr. Nicholas Rowe, co-authors of Healing Leadership Trauma , spiritual formation mentors, and longtime leaders in ministry and education. Sheila Wise Rowe is an award-winning author and counselor...
Jun 04, 2025•49 min•Season 6Ep. 9
In a culture that promises life will go "up and to the right," we're conditioned to believe that success follows a predictable trajectory of increasing achievement and personal fulfillment. But for Christians who desire to lead more faithfully, our expectations for life and leadership must come from what God says about us, about our calling, and about his kingdom. In this episode of The Disrupters podcast, host Nicole Martin talks with Joanna Meyer, Director of Public Engagement at the Denver In...
May 28, 2025•45 min•Season 6Ep. 8
In a culture obsessed with numerical growth and expansion, Christian leaders often measure success by the size of their congregation, budget, or influence. But for believers who desire to lead with integrity and purpose, we must reframe our leadership goals with a different question in mind: "What are we measuring, and why?" In this episode of The Disrupters podcast, host Nicole Martin welcomes Bishop Geoffrey Dudley, pastor of New Life in Christ Church and CEO of Ilead Enterprises. As a retired...
May 21, 2025•47 min•Season 5Ep. 7
In a culture that celebrates the pursuit of “more,” we’re taught that success is measured by the accumulation of wealth. But for Christians who desire to lead their families, churches, or organizations well, we must commit to a different teaching: “You cannot serve both God and money.” In this episode of The Disrupters podcast, host Nicole Martin welcomes Bob Doll, CEO and Chief Investment Officer at Crossmark Global Investments , a long-time financial strategist and faithful servant leader. Wit...
May 14, 2025•40 min•Season 6Ep. 6
To whom have you given your loyalty? Who is loyal to you? A hallmark of modern leadership is the demand for unquestioning loyalty—loyalty to the boss, loyalty to the organization, loyalty to the vision. But when loyalty is demanded instead of inspired, it can quietly become a weapon of control that quashes dissent, silences the vulnerable, and enables abuse. And misplaced loyalties can create harmful power imbalances in even the most equitable organizations. In this episode of The Disrupters pod...
May 07, 2025•45 min•Season 6Ep. 5
What if your desire to “get it right” is the very thing preventing you from doing what God wants to do through you? We often cling to perfection because we fear loss. However, transformation and leading through change always demand it. In this episode of The Disrupters podcast, host Nicole Martin welcomes Tod Bolsinger, leadership expert, professor, and author of the new Practicing Change Series , as well as Canoeing the Mountains and Tempered Resilience . Tod is the founder of AE Sloan Leadersh...
Apr 30, 2025•48 min•Season 6Ep. 4
What if the influence you’re chasing is costing you a more valuable, eternal reward? In a culture obsessed with instant likes, applause, and relevance, many leaders are settling for temporary honor instead of eagerly seeking God’s praise. In this episode of The Disrupters podcast, host Nicole Martin sits down with Christine Caine—speaker, author, activist, and founder of A21, Propel Women, and Equip & Empower. For over 30 years, Christine has served the global Church, fought human traffickin...
Apr 23, 2025•57 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Have you ever caught yourself craving applause more than God’s praise? In a culture that thrives on followers, likes, and platforms, it’s dangerously easy to let our egos take the lead. But what if leadership was never meant to be about who sees you, but about how you radically serve others? What if true authority isn’t marked by the applause you receive from people, but by the joy you receive from God? That’s the message that Jesus taught when he said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to b...
Apr 16, 2025•47 min•Season 6Ep. 2
True power isn’t about control—it’s about surrender. When the world demands dominance, Jesus calls us to be servants, people who are a witness to God’s power by the way we live in “with-ness” with others. In this first episode of the sixth season of The Disrupters podcast, Hosanna Wong joins host Nicole Martin to tackle one of the most common leadership idols: Power. Wong is an international speaker, bestselling author, and spoken word artist. Known for her powerful piece “ I Have A New Name ,” ...
Apr 09, 2025•50 min•Season 6Ep. 1
The world is undergoing a crisis of leadership. Traditional models of leadership are no longer serving institutions and their constituents well. Leaders need new, innovative paradigms to counter the status quo and to serve their organizations. In season six of The Disrupters , host Nicole Massie Martin, IVP author and chief operating officer at Christianity Today, reveals healthy leadership disruptions that lead to flourishing in the home, the workplace, the church, and the world. Martin convers...
Apr 02, 2025•2 min
Today is the day after the U.S. presidential election. As the results are being announced, we come together to pause and reflect on the truth about our calling to love God and love people in the neighborhoods, towns, and cities in which we live. In these three bonus episodes of the fifth season of The Disrupters , host Miranda Zapor Cruz asks the question, "What does it mean to disrupt ourselves—and the noise?" during an election season? Join Miranda as she offers a disruption in the noise surro...
Nov 06, 2024•11 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Today is the day of the U.S. presidential election. While we wait for the results to be counted, we come together to pause and reflect on the truth about our ultimate hope in the return of our eternal king, Jesus Christ. In these three bonus episodes of the fifth season of The Disrupters , host Miranda Zapor Cruz asks the question, "What does it mean to disrupt ourselves—and the noise?" during an election season? Join Miranda as she offers a disruption in the noise surrounding Election Day 2024 ...
Nov 05, 2024•8 min•Season 5Ep. 12
Today is the day before the U.S. presidential election. Before we vote, we come together to pause and reflect on the truth about who we are and whose we are in Jesus Christ. In these three bonus episodes of the fifth season of The Disrupters , host Miranda Zapor Cruz asks the question, "What does it mean to disrupt ourselves—and the noise?" during an election season? Join Miranda as she offers a disruption in the noise surrounding Election Day 2024 through meditations on her book Faithful Politi...
Nov 04, 2024•11 min•Season 5Ep. 11
For some, engaging in politics looks like watching particular cable news or social media networks and then amplifying whatever voices align with their own particular values or biases. But perhaps the key to healthy political engagement isn’t about spending time watching C-SPAN, but instead is about focusing on the people we are becoming. In this last episode of season 5 of The Disrupters , Kaitlyn Schiess welcomes Michael Wear, founder of the Center for Christianity and Public Life . Together th...
Dec 18, 2023•46 min•Season 5Ep. 10
When surrounded by all the needs in the world, people can become overwhelmed and paralyzed to even begin to engage politically if at all. But instead of thinking about every issue to engage in, perhaps the way forward is to find areas of deep focus and personal interest. In this fascinating dive into the convergence of personal faith and public life, host Kaitlyn Schiess welcomes Kathryn Freeman, a voice of experience at the intersection of theology and political advocacy. Freeman's journey is a...
Dec 11, 2023•48 min•Season 5Ep. 9
The impact of empire has far-reaching implications for the church, the nation, and the world. Even Christians who would claim that the kingdom of heaven is the only true ultimate rule and reign can find themselves complicit in supporting and furthering the empires of our current age. Former presidential candidate Mark Charles wanted to show a different way forward, using the political process to speak truth to power. In this thought-provoking episode, host Kaitlyn Schiess speaks with Charles abo...
Dec 04, 2023•58 min•Season 5Ep. 8
For many Christians, disillusionment with the church has become more common as a result of institutional distrust and trauma. But internal confusion can also present people with an opportunity for self-examination and contemplation. In this episode, renowned theologian and ethicist Russell Moore joins Kaitlyn Schiess to discuss the essential work of self-reflection, accountability, and honesty in the face of cynicism. Through prayer, Scripture reading, and engagement in community, Moore encourag...
Nov 27, 2023•47 min•Season 5Ep. 3
How do the intertwining threads of love and justice weave a powerful narrative of transformation within the fabric of communities? In this episode, host Kaitlyn Schiess engages in a thoughtful conversation with guest Amy Williams, who has worked in gang intervention and restorative justice for over 29 years. Together, they explore practical avenues through which Christians can actively contribute to the restoration and flourishing of their neighborhoods, viewing the process through the lenses of...
Nov 20, 2023•47 min•Season 5Ep. 6
When most people hear the word "politics," their minds immediately go to partisan battles, ideological divisions, and the dysfunction of 24-hour news cycles. This episode challenges the conventional notion of politics. Instead of focusing solely on partisan battles, ideological divides, and the often chaotic media cycle, it explores a more profound perspective with guest Luke Bretherton, a professor at Duke University and an expert in moral and political theology. Bretherton wants listeners to s...
Nov 13, 2023•51 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Cultivating neighborliness may not seem to have much long-term impact, but its capacity to bridge diverse communities and ignite lasting connections demonstrates that it can actually have profound and far-reaching effects on our society. In this episode, host Kaitlyn Schiess engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Shannan Martin about her remarkable journey of cultivating neighborliness in her community through the twin pillars of civic engagement and nurturing relationships. Throughout...
Nov 06, 2023•53 min•Season 5Ep. 4
American evangelicalism, at the intersection of faith and politics, has been a focal point of public discourse for decades. From presidential elections to heated policy debates, evangelicals have significantly influenced the nation's political landscape. While faith often motivates individuals to seek positive change, it can also become entangled in complex challenges, leading to what many describe as political dysfunction. In this episode, host Kaitlyn Schiess delves into this complex dynamic i...
Oct 30, 2023•57 min•Season 5Ep. 4
We live in a polarized world where conversations, particularly political ones, have evolved into a battlefield of words, frequently leaving emotional scars. These discussions are no longer just about perspectives and opinions but deeply rooted emotions and personal experiences. But have we ever paused to reflect on the connection between our emotional reactions, our bodily responses, and these complex dialogues? In this episode, host Kaitlyn Schiess explored this topic with therapist and author ...
Oct 23, 2023•50 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Although there are notable examples of evangelical churches with overt ties to political leaders and leanings, many churches take a more ambivalent posture. Many pastors are loathe to even mention politics or political issues from the pulpit. But perhaps they can learn from the example of Black church leaders. As this week’s guest Tyler Burns explains, in the Black church a pastor's role often extends far beyond the walls of the church. They are not solely spiritual leaders but can also exert si...
Oct 16, 2023•47 min•Season 5Ep. 1
With another election season approaching, how can Christians navigate the challenging political landscape without losing their souls? In this season, we’ll dive deep into the topic of engaging in politics while remaining spiritually grounded and relationally connected. I'm your new host, Kaitlyn Schiess, and together, we'll embark on a journey of thought-provoking conversations with a diverse range of experts and individuals who bring invaluable firsthand experiences from the world of politics. ...
Oct 02, 2023•3 min
We've got some exciting news to share—we’re introducing a new voice and a fresh perspective to season 5. Welcome to the next host of The Disrupters , Kaitlyn Schiess! Before we jump headfirst into all the exciting things this season has in store, let's take a moment to reflect on our journey so far. We deeply appreciate the work of our former host of seasons 3 and 4, Nancy Wang Yuen, who enriched The Disrupters with her unique perspective and thought-provoking conversations. In this transition e...
Sep 25, 2023•8 min
Content warning: This episode contains sensitive content about sexual assault. Former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was recently sentenced to an additional 16 years in prison on top of his current sentence of 23 years for sexual assault. In this bonus episode of The Disrupters, Nancy Wang Yuen speaks with Weinstein’s former assistant, advocate, and activist Rowena Chiu. She left the film industry after being victimized by Weinstein in 1998. The 2022 film She Said tells the story of the New York T...
Feb 27, 2023•45 min
In recent years there has been much cynicism regarding Christians’ role in American politics, especially from younger generations. Kaitlyn Schiess, a doctoral theology student at Duke Divinity School and author of Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of our Neighbor (IVP), understands those challenges. “A lot of young people today, who want to stay in the church or really truly believe the gospel and want to to take Scripture as authoritative in their lives don't know how to rec...
Jan 09, 2023•53 min•Season 4Ep. 10
For those not paying attention, it might seem as though Deb Liu, the CEO of Ancestry.com and the author of Take Back Your Power has been on a straightforward path to success her whole life. Despite Chinese cultural norms that tend to favor boys over girls, Deb’s parents were incredibly supportive, accepting her for who she was: “[My father] took us fishing, he taught me how to shoot. We went crabbing and shrimping. He treated us like he would any other boy or girl. And it was really great. I had...
Jan 02, 2023•29 min•Season 4Ep. 9
In this series, Nancy Wang Yuen is joined by co-host New York Times bestselling author and historian Jemar Tisby for a miniseries exploring the Christmas season through the lenses of race, gender, and class. They examine some of the implicit and explicit messages that permeate Christian Christmas culture and that we often enjoy and consume indiscriminately. In part 4, Nancy and Jemar discuss the obsession with white Santa and the ways that cultural representations often distract from the heart o...
Dec 19, 2022•43 min•Season 4Ep. 8
