The Greatest Worship Leaders Aren't Always the Most Talented (Here's What They Do Instead) w/ Dan Dean
Release Date: 08/07/2025
How to Get Your Church Excited About Your Original Songs w/ Lakewood Music
Worship Online Podcast
Do you want to see your church become passionate about the original songs your worship team is writing? Alexandra Osteen from Lakewood Music reveals the simple language shift that transformed their congregation from passive listeners to passionate champions of their original worship songs. In this episode, you'll discover: • The one word change that creates instant ownership • How to connect your songs to your church's DNA • Why writing for your local church first, creates global impact • The storytelling strategy that gets your team...
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Synth Sound Design Secrets: How Layering, Filtering & Inspiring Workspace Design Lead to Arena Impact w/ Tommee Profitt
Worship Online Podcast
Does the world of synthesizers feel overwhelming as a worship keys player? You're not alone. Tommee Profitt creates massive cinematic soundscapes, but he started exactly where you are. In our conversation today, Tommee breaks down why you don't need to be a "synth lord" to serve effectively and shares the simple techniques that can elevate your sound when you're ready to explore. Learn the two beginner-friendly adjustments that make any patch sound more professional. Discover how to create a practice space that actually inspires you to experiment. Hear about the mod wheel...
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Kristene DiMarco: Why You Might Be Using the Wrong Scorecard as a Worship Leader (And What to Use Instead)
Worship Online Podcast
Are you measuring your worship leading success by the room's response? Kristene DiMarco reveals why this "scorecard" is keeping worship leaders trapped in comparison, burnout, and the fear of man. She shares the life-changing shift that transforms how you approach your calling. In this powerful conversation, Kristene opens up about: The dangerous trap of seeking validation from congregational response Why "excellence vs. perfection" changes everything for worship leaders How to break free from the comparison cycle that's stealing your joy ...
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The Simple Practice That Makes You the Healthy Leader People Trust w/ Zahriya Zachary
Worship Online Podcast
Ever wonder why some leaders become the go-to person in a crisis? They’re not always the loudest or the most experienced. They’re the ones who stay steady. That steadiness isn’t a personality trait. It’s the result of intentional inner work. Zahriya Zachary of Bethel Music has seen this firsthand. Through one simple daily practice, she learned to recognize when she was leading from striving versus rest, how to catch toxic self-talk before it derailed her decisions, and why her internal dialogue became her best leadership warning system. What if just 5–10...
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How to Read the Room Before You Lead It & Create Real Connection w/ Citizens
Worship Online Podcast
Ever been on stage and felt like the room just wasn’t with you? In this conversation, Zach Bolen from Citizens reveals the secret to creating real connection, even when the room feels flat. He shares how to read the room before you lead it, what to do when energy feels off, and why authenticity always engages people more than hype. We also unpack how Citizens learned to make every show feel like a conversation, not a performance. Whether you’re leading worship on Sunday or playing a show on tour, this episode will help you connect deeper with any crowd and lead...
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The Secret to Staying Passionate About Leading Worship Every Week w/ Claire Leslie
Worship Online Podcast
Ever feel like Sunday comes around way too fast? You love leading worship, but some weeks it feels more like a routine than a calling. In this episode, pop artist and worship leader Claire Leslie shares the secret to staying passionate in worship every single week. From leading since age 14 to now performing songs like Passenger Seat and Light Up, Claire’s learned how to keep her heart burning in both the church and the pop world. You’ll discover how Friday night shows are giving her fresh perspective for Sunday mornings, why authenticity matters more than perfection, and...
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How Chris Tomlin Is Leading Churches Through This Cultural Moment
Worship Online Podcast
It's no secret that there is a lot of division and unrest in culture right now. So what do you do when your congregation walks in carrying the weight of division and unrest? Chris Tomlin shares what it’s like to lead when everything feels chaotic. After 30 years of ministry, he's watching something unprecedented happen in churches—people are hungry for something that transcends the chaos. You'll Hear: • Why "The King Is Still The King" is perfectly timed for this moment • The hymn Chris is using to end every service that carries breakthrough •...
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Living in the Spotlight: Navigating the Struggles of Pastor's Kids w/ Jenn Chenoweth
Worship Online Podcast
Being a pastor's kid means everyone knows your family - and everyone has expectations. Jenn Chenoweth lived this reality. As the oldest pastor's kid, she was always at church, always watched, always expected to be the "perfect daughter." "I oftentimes felt I was put in positions I wasn't ready for when I was really young," Jenn shares. "I felt a lot of pressure at the church from people to be the perfect child." In this conversation, learn: What it's really like growing up in the church spotlight How pastor's kids navigate impossible...
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The Human Heart Wasn't Built for Notoriety: Handling the Spotlight w/ Ellie Holcomb
Worship Online Podcast
"The human heart wasn't built for notoriety." That’s what counselor Al Andrews told Drew Holcomb after 20 years of working with musicians. For Ellie, this truth became painfully real. Ellie Gets Real About: The terrifying thought that hit her during a sold-out show How crowds can become weapons against those closest to you You'll Discover: Al Andrews' game-changing insight about recognition and the human heart The simple weekly habit her dad practiced before every service to keep his heart grounded and free from pride ...
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The Forgotten Discipline That Could Save Your Leadership & Team w/ CXMMXNS
Worship Online Podcast
What if there's a biblical practice many of us dismissively chuckle about, that could actually strengthen your leadership and protect your team? In this revealing conversation with CXMMXNS songwriters Reuben Morgan and Ben Fielding, we uncover a spiritual discipline that the Western church has largely abandoned. While most leaders are grinding harder and pushing through, Reuben and Ben share what they've discovered about a counterintuitive approach that's helping them steward songs reaching millions while staying grounded in local church ministry. From the hidden traps of...
info_outlineWhat if the greatest worship leaders aren't the ones with the best voices?
Dan Dean from Phillips, Craig & Dean drops a truth bomb that will change how you think about worship leadership forever. After 50 years in ministry—20 as a worship pastor, decades as lead pastor—Dan reveals why the most impactful worship leaders often step back instead of stepping up.
In this episode, you'll discover:
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Why "doing it all yourself" actually weakens your team
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The Bill Gaither principle for spotting hidden talent in your church
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How Dan's son leads worship by sitting in the front row (genius move)
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When to sacrifice your "excellence standard" to develop others
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The leadership mistake that destroys worship teams
If you've ever felt like it's easier to "just do it yourself" or wondered how to pull the gifts out of your team members, this conversation will completely shift your leadership approach.
The real question isn't whether you can lead worship—it's whether you can develop worship leaders.
Worship Online is your new secret weapon for preparing each week. With detailed song tutorials and resources, you and your team will save hours every single week, and remove the stress from preparing for a set. Try a free trial at WorshipOnline.com and see the transformation!
Mentioned in the Episode
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The Worship Online Podcast is produced by Worship Online in Nashville, TN.