The Worship Catalyst Podcast
Religion & Spirituality
About
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!
Episodes
- Leading Worship Band Practice Well
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:…
- A Week in the Life of a Worship Leader
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…
- How Jesus Cared for His Team
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 Gospe…
- 10 Ways Leaders Can Care for Their Own Soul
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 relationa…
- When Your Team Spans Generations: How to Lead Well
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, perso…
- 23 Proven Ways to Keep Your Team Healthy
In Episode 2 of The Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin Ryan and Lane Wood offer 23 practical methods for maintaining team health, focusing on spiritual well-being, connection, and thriving environments. They discuss team health responsibilit…
- Soul Care for Leaders: Why It Matters More Than You Think
In the season 6 premiere of The Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin Ryan and Lane Wood define soul care for leaders, distinguishing it from self-help. They discuss its essential role in healthy leadership, address common challenges faced by w…
- How to Build the Team of Your Dreams: Co-Leadership Builds Stronger Teams
Austin Ryan and Ben Barfield explore the concept of co-leadership, sharing insights from their experience leading churches and organizations. They detail the benefits of shared leadership, such as enhanced accountability, reduced burnout,…
- How to Build the Team of Your Dreams: Building a Healthy Team Culture that Lasts
Austin Ryan and Ben Barfield discuss practical ways to implement the 3 Covenants to build a healthy team culture that lasts. The episode covers introducing the covenants, reinforcing them in weekly meetings, rebuilding trust, and fostering…
- How to Build the Team of Your Dreams: 11 Reasons for Covenant Relationships
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast explores how covenant relationships can build loyal, drama-free teams. Hosts Austin Ryan and Ben Barfield present 11 reasons why this approach fosters trust, unity, accountability, safety, and b…
- How to Build the Team of Your Dreams: The 3 Covenants
Austin Ryan and Ben Barfield discuss The 3 Covenants: Building Team Loyalty on The Worship Catalyst Podcast, exploring commitments that foster trust and reduce conflict in teams across various sectors.
- Perspectives from the Pew: What Does A Church Member Expect From A Worship Pastor?
Austin Ryan interviews Joe Penovich on church member expectations of worship pastors, including their relationship with God and involvement in evangelism. This episode concludes the current series.
- Perspectives from the Pew: What Theology are we Missing in our Songs
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast discusses whether the songs chosen for church services adequately represent core biblical theology. Hosts Austin Ryan and Joe Penovich explore common themes in worship music and identify a key b…
- Perspectives from the Pew: Hearing the Holy Spirit While Leading Worship
In this episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin and Joe Penovich discuss a process for knowing God and praying in the Spirit, aiming to empower worship leaders and pastors to lead from a place of strength. They acknowledge the chal…
- Perspectives from the Pew: The Worship Pattern that Facilitates True Worship
Austin and Joe Penovich explore scriptural patterns for worship gatherings on The Worship Catalyst Podcast, questioning whether church services resemble genuine cries to God or polished presentations, and examining the potential for artifi…
- Perspectives from the Pew: Leading Worship IN and WITH the Holy Spirit
Austin and Joe Penovich discuss whether worship music has become a counterfeit of the Holy Spirit and explore authentic worship led by God. They question the effectiveness of self-motivated Christianity and the necessity of singing songs i…
- Digging Deep: 5 Questions to Answer when Planning Your Services
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast outlines five essential questions for worship leaders to consider when planning services. Answering these questions helps create services that intentionally serve the congregation and shape thei…
- Digging Deep: Writing Great Songs for Your Church
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast focuses on seven fundamental principles for writing songs for the local church. The discussion is intended for those involved in worship songwriting, regardless of their experience level.
- Digging Deep: 7 Spiritual Disciplines of Every Worship Leader
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast discusses seven spiritual disciplines vital for worship leaders. These practices are presented as essential for sustaining ministry and enhancing leadership through a deeper connection with God.
- Digging Deep: 7 Influential Worship Leaders
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast examines seven influential worship leaders from history and modern movements. Their insights and examples continue to guide worship ministry and challenge leadership.
- Digging Deep: 4 Reasons Your Worship Team Must Prioritize Evangelism
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast discusses four key reasons why worship teams should prioritize evangelism, highlighting the natural connection between worship and outreach.
- Digging Deep: 8 Practical Ways to Lead Your Music Teams
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast details eight practical strategies for leading worship music teams, focusing on building exceptional ministries through improved rehearsal techniques and team dynamics.
- Digging Deep: 4 Things Worship Leaders MUST Know About Theology and Ecclesiology
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast covers four essential concepts in theology and ecclesiology relevant to worship leaders. The discussion aims to provide theological clarity and deepen ministry impact.
- Digging Deep: 6 Ways to Disciple Your Worship Team
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast explores six methods for discipling worship teams, emphasizing spiritual growth and transforming group interactions into discipleship opportunities. The podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst,…
- Digging Deep: 6 Action Steps for Guiding the Worship Ministry
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast provides six practical action steps for worship leaders to guide and grow their ministries. The advice focuses on actionable items beyond musical talent to foster purpose and vision.
- Digging Deep: 4 Truths Worship Leaders Need to Know from Old and New Testaments
In the first episode of Season 3,
- BONUS: How to Implement A Producer in Your Church Services
This bonus episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast discusses how to implement a producer in church services. It covers the qualifications for service coordinators, best practices for their training, and useful tools.
- BONUS: 4 Reasons You NEED a Producer for Your Church Services
Austin talks with Cami Ryan and Stephen Handley about the benefits of incorporating a producer or service coordinator onto a church's weekend team. They discuss four key reasons why churches need this role and outline its seven primary fun…
- From Attending to Encountering God: What to Say Between Songs
Austin and Corey discuss challenges worship leaders face in balancing musical performance, congregation focus, team dynamics, and spiritual connection. They share simple strategies to help congregations move from attending a service to enc…
- From Attending to Encountering God: 4 Things we MUST Know About Worship
Austin and Corey discuss four biblical passages on worship to provide a framework for leading congregations to encounter God. The episode aims to clarify biblical understanding of worship for leaders and attendees.
- From Attending to Encountering God: 5 Ways to Generate Energy in Your Services
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast features Austin and Corey discussing five methods for increasing energy in church services. The discussion aims to help leaders create environments that facilitate encounters with God.
- From Attending to Encountering God: 19 Creative Ideas for Your Worship Services
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast provides 19 creative and practical ideas for worship services. The suggestions aim to help congregations encounter God, following a discussion on using God-given creativity to tell His story.
- From Attending to Encountering God: The Science of Boredom
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast explores how understanding the science of boredom and the brain's miraculous ways of learning can help create church services that foster a deeper encounter with God.
- From Attending to Encountering God: How to Pick Songs that Help People Encounter God
In this episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin and Corey discuss how song selection impacts worship services. They explore aspects like tempo, topic, and thematic connections to help congregations move from simply attending to enc…
- From Attending to Encountering God: 7 Ways to DIS-engage Your Congregation
In this episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin and Corey explore seven ways churches may inadvertently discourage genuine encounters with God. The discussion focuses on identifying practices that hinder, rather than foster, congre…
- From Attending to Encountering God: 2 Non-Negotiable Weekly Practices
Corey Coogan and Austin Ryan of The Worship Catalyst Podcast cover two essential weekly practices for worship leaders aimed at deepening congregational encounters with God: specific prayer and profound personal knowledge of the attendees.
- Sports & Worship Leading: 6 Traits of Highly Effective Worship Leaders
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast covers 6 traits that contribute to effective worship leading, discussed by hosts Austin and Stephen in the final installment of their Sports & Worship Leading series.
- Sports & Worship Leading: Strategies for Handling Worship Service Setbacks
In this episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast, hosts Austin and Stephen share strategies for handling setbacks and obstacles that occur during worship services, based on their own experiences.
- Sports & Worship Leading: Leading Effective Worship Rehearsals
In this episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast, hosts Austin and Stephen share tips for leading impactful worship rehearsals. They discuss the objectives of rehearsals and offer advice for worship leaders and pastors.
- Sports & Worship Leading: A Worship Leader's Guide to Engaging the Congregation
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast features Austin and Stephen discussing how to inspire heartfelt worship and engage the congregation, offering practical advice for worship leaders and pastors.
- Sports & Worship Leading: 5 Essential Strategies to Align Your Worship Team's Mission
Austin and Stephen outline five strategies to help worship teams establish and align with a singular mission, emphasizing its importance.
- Sports & Worship Leading: Key Tips for Cultivating Excellence
In this episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin and Stephen share tips for cultivating excellence on a worship team, referencing sports team performance. Worship Catalyst is a non-profit ministry that trains worship leaders and tea…
- Sports & Worship Leading: 5 Proven Strategies to Build Trust on Your Worship Team
In this episode, Austin Ryan and Stephen Handley discuss the importance of trust for teams, including worship teams, and outline five strategies for building trust. They also describe the characteristics of trust and distrust within a team.
- Am I functioning as a worship leader or a worship pastor?
The Worship Catalyst Podcast discusses the differences between functioning as a worship leader and a worship pastor, offering diagnostics to help listeners assess their approach. The episode also marks the rebranding of The Worship Leader…
- Should I sing songs in English AND Spanish...at least sometimes?
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast discusses the growing cultural diversity in America and its effect on worship leaders and song choices. The team explores the benefits of singing in a second language for congregants and the chu…
- 11 Things Worship Leaders Should NEVER Do
Austin and members of the Dream Team discuss eleven actions that worship leaders should avoid. The Worship Catalyst Podcast is produced by Worship Catalyst, a ministry focused on training worship leaders.
- Our 100th Episode...and Top 5 Favorite Moments
The Worship Catalyst Podcast marks its 100th episode by highlighting five favorite moments from its previous 99 episodes. This selection aims to provide helpful content for listeners who may not have time to revisit all prior episodes.
- How to Handle Criticism as a Leader
Austin and the dream team discuss how leaders can handle criticism, addressing the emotional impact and offering strategies to avoid feeling criticized.
- 7 Ways to Know if You Are Too Invested in Your Local Church...
Nichole speaks with Austin Ryan and Mike Mychalczuk on The Worship Catalyst Podcast about seven signs that indicate an over-investment in a local church at the expense of the Kingdom of God. Topics include comparing churches, celebrating a…
- Elevation Concert vs. Church Service: Why are they so different?
This episode of The Worship Catalyst Podcast features Austin, Stephen, and Lane discussing the differences between large worship concerts and church services. They explore the impact of concerts on church worship culture and identify valua…