Rusty George Podcast

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so it seemed fitting to have a brain expert join me on Leading Simple. Bryan Hixson leads an incredible research organization focused on understanding how the brain works. How our brain functions can dramatically affect the way we lead and the way we live. It influences how quickly we can bounce back from difficulties and how easily we can let things go. I sat down with Bryan to learn more about why that is and came out of our time with my mind blown. You won't want to miss our conversation. HighlightsAbout Bryan Hixson - 02:10 A little about Bryan Hixson Why do we call it Mental Health? What is a brain map? How does stress affect our brains? - 10:49 The pandemic’s effect on our brain health. The value of in person connection. Thoughts around the current mental health epidemic. Healing our Brains - 23:12 Bryan explains how our brains function. What are some helpful tools for us to help our brains? Resources Episode Transcript Brain Performance Centers of Southern Califor

Lane Jones is one of the co-founders of North Point Ministries, an incredible church with multiple campuses across the Atlanta area. I’ve gotten to know and learn from him over the past five years and it’s great to have him on the podcast to share his insights with you. He led along Andy Stanley as they started and grew North Point to what it is today. Lane shares his experiences from the early days, the lessons he learned about leadership over three decades, and what’s next for him in the coming years.HighlightsLane’s Story - 02:36 About Lane Jones Ministry beginnings in Atlanta Three Decades of North Point  - 12:47 What the early days at North Point were like. Gaining notoriety as a ministry Navigating exponential growth North Point today What’s Next? - 43:11 What does the next decade look like for Lane? How to support leaders from the second seat

People hear the title Executive Pastor and wonder what that title actually means? Well, my guest Jim Sheldon sheds some light on what that role has meant for him as he helps lead Mission Church, a church plant in Ventura, California. He also gives some background about what it was like for him moving from a corporate setting to into ministry (including a role as a police chaplain).Maybe you've considered transitioning from a corporate role to a role in ministry. We got to touch on that with guests like Jodi Tonarelli (listen to her perspective on being an executive pastor here) and Debbie Robert (listen to her story here). And Jim's story is another one to hear if that's a question you're asking yourself. I think you'll get a lot from his experiences guiding staff and his own self discovery in this role. I think you're going to be really blessed by what Jim has to say.Special thanks to the Saga Center for Mental Health for sponsoring this episode.HighlightsAbout Jim  - 01:35 Jim’s early years Moving from the

April was an exciting month as we sat down with with Jim Wallace as he reflected on a new chapter in his life and Debbie Robert came from behind the scenes to share her experience as an executive assistant. Roy Ratcliffe helped us look at grace through his eyes as he detailed his time with the infamous Jefferey Dahmer, and Bjorn Bjornsson helped to make therapy a little more accessible. If you hear something in this month's Best of that stood out to you you can find the full episodes and resources from this month below: Episode 250: Detective Jim Wallace processes the crucifixion crime scene Episode 251: Debbie Robert makes Executive Assisting simple Episode 252: The Pastor who baptized Dahmer makes grace simple Episode 253: Bjorn Bjornsson makes therapy simple Special thanks to our sponsor over at Saga Mental Health and Relationship Centers.

My guest for the week is Bjorn Bjornsson from Saga Center based in California. He was previously in ministry back in Iceland before becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist. Bjorn sits down with me and talks about his early experiences as a pastor, the need for mental health support in the church, and how you can find a counselor who is the right fit for you.Therapy can feel like a taboo word for so many people, particularly in the church. Going to therapy used to be seen as a sign of weakness. But over the years, people have become a lot more open about sharing their own experiences with mental health and finding the support they need.If you’ve heard me speak on a Sunday, maybe you’ve heard me talk a little about my own journey with anxiety and mental health. Or you’ve heard me talk with previous guests about their own journeys (like in this episode with Dan Broyles, LMFT) If you’re feeling a little skeptical about therapy, or you’ve been wondering where to even start, then take a listen to this epi

You might be familiar with the name Jeffery Dahmer. In the nineties, the world was horrified to learn about his crimes. He was even the subject of a recent Netflix series. His name has become synonymous with the most extreme, the worst of the worst, and maybe somebody beyond the grace of God. So how does one forgive what seems to be the unforgivable? And what is it like to be in the position of a pastor who is asked to baptize someone as infamous as a serial killer? Well, it was a surprise to learn that Jefferey Dahmer gave his life to Christ during his time in prison. And  I had a chance to talk with the man who baptized Jeffrey Dahmer, a pastor named Roy Ratcliff. Roy shares his experience with Jefferey and the incredible grace in his story of faith.You may know someone who is wrestling with the idea of God’s grace. Maybe you’re struggling to give grace to yourself, and you don’t know where to start. If that lands for you, listen to today’s episode and share it with someone you think might want to hear this

Well, today, you’re in for something special. You get to hear first hand what it’s like to be an executive assistant from my good friend, Debbie Robert. Debbie is the Executive Director of Administration at Real Life Church and has a wealth of wisdom to share from her time here. Debbie gives her perspective on how she navigated rapid growth, difficult situations, and working alongside me. She also highlights some of the differences between working in the marketplace versus working in ministry and lays out what it takes to find a great executive assistant. (One way is through one of our sponsors this year, BELAY Solutions). It’s been an honor having Debbie as a part of the team, and I really think you’re gonna have a lot to learn from what she has to say in our conversation.Special thanks to the Saga Center for Mental Health for sponsoring this month’s episode.Highlights About Debbie - 2:43 Debbie’s life before RLC The trip that changed Debbie’s whole world. Working in the medical field versus working in minis

It's great to have one of our favorite guests, cold case detective and author J. Warner Wallace back on the podcast. He's joined us before to make the case for Easter and the case for the resurrection. This time around, we talk about his upcoming book, Jesus' impact on the world at large and how being in a different season of life has called Jim to different things. Jim offers some incredible wisdom and insights that I know you'll want to hear, so listen in to this week's Leading Simple.Special Thanks to the Saga Center for Mental Health for sponsoring this month's episodes!Resources Episode Transcript  Previous J. Warner Wallace Episodes Episode 104: Understanding the Resurrection with J Warner Wallace Episode 193: The Importance of Easter and the Case for the Resurrection with J Warner Wallace

From figuring out how to deal with content overload to better understanding the future of church to figuring out why God cares about who we sleep with and rounding it out with the excitement of a new Dodger baseball season. I've gotta say, March was an incredible month for Leading Simple. It was great having each guest on the show this month. If you hear something that stood out to you and want to know more, then you can find the full episodes from this month here: Episode 244: Brad Lomenick makes navigating content overload simple Episode 246: David Kinnaman makes the future of church simple Episode 247: Sam Allberry answers why God cares who we sleep with Episode 248: MLB Scout Marty Lamb makes this season for the Dodgers Simple  ----------------------------------------------------------------Special thanks to our sponsor, BELAY!If you're a church leader trying to do it all, you don't have to anymore. BELAY’s modern church staffing solutions have been helping busy church leaders delegate important the deta

It's springtime, so you know what that means: It's time for Dodger baseball! It's an honor to have Marty Lamb back on the podcast. We spend some time talking shop about what to look out for this upcoming Baseball season. With new players, new rules, and new prospects, there is a lot to talk about. We also look back on the legacy of the late Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda. And if you've never heard of Refuge for Women, Marty gives an overview of the incredible work they do to support women recovering from human trafficking. Special thanks to our friends over at BELAY Solutions for sponsoring this week’s episode. You can access a free leadership resource here at belaysolutions.com/rusty. Or you can text RUSTY to 55123 to claim this exclusive offer.HighlightsNew Season, New Scouts - 2:33 Preparing for a new baseball season. Who's got the best player prospects this year? Marty's shares stories about Tommy Lasorda What does Dodger Baseball Look Like This Season? - 08:29 Marty talks about the future of Dodger Baseba

There are no more controversial issues in our culture right now than the issue of sex and identity. We’re having those conversations at Real Life Church in our series Sex&Theology. And last month on the podcast, we got to hear Becket Cook’s experience (you can take a listen to his episode here)This month, you’re in for another insightful episode. Sam Allberry is a pastor, speaker, and author of several books, including Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With? We get to sit down and work through talk through the theology behind the Christian sexual ethic and how to approach these conversations in real time with friends, family, and loved ones. I know you’ll get a lot out of this episode.Special thanks to BELAY Solutions for sponsoring this week’s episode. And you can access a free leadership resource here at belaysolutions.com/rusty. Or you can text RUSTY to 55123 to claim this exclusive offer.HighlightsSam’s Calling - 2:56 About Sam Allberry The story behind “Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With?” Wrestling with

When you think of organizational research, the names that most readily come to mind are Gallup, Pew, and Barna Group. We've gotten to hear from Savannah Kimberlin as we talked through what a post-COVID world would look like (you can listen to the episode here). And it’s an honor to have David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group on the podcast this week. David helps shed light on what the data says about the future of the Church and shares his perspective on some of the trends we’re seeing in churches today. David was also gracious enough to share his personal experience navigating major life transitions and overcoming difficulties along the way.Special thanks to BELAY Solutions for sponsoring this week’s episode. And you can access a free leadership resource here at belaysolutions.com/rusty. Or you can text RUSTY to 55123 to claim this exclusive offer.About David and Barna Group- 02:41 David’s early days Being a public pastor as CEO of Barna About about Barna Group The Future of the Church - 10:05 Questions we shoul

Information overload in this day and age is a real thing. And there is no silver bullet to make all the information make sense for how we lead. So how do we sort through it all? Who better to join me for this episode than leadership consultant and content curator Brad Lomenick? Brad shares his tips for getting the most out of the wealth of content available and shares some of his favorite podcast recommendations. We also talk about how leaders can leverage their influence for a more intentional impact on the people they lead. I enjoyed my time with Brad and I know you’ll enjoy hearing his insights.Special thanks to BELAY Solutions for sponsoring this week’s episode! I partnered with BELAY to bring church leaders a free resource that I think will really make a difference. You can access the resource here at belaysolutions.com/rusty.Resources Connect with Brad Twitter Instagram Facebook The H3 Leadership Podcast H3 Leadership by Brad Lomenick (book)

Leading Simple has had some incredible guests this February. If you've got 15 minutes and want to hear some of the highlights from each episode, this is for you. If as you're listening something jumps out at you and you want to dig a little deeper, you can find the full episodes from this month here: Episode 239: Becket Cook makes identity simple. Episode 240: Ben Connelly tells us to stop asking for forgiveness. Episode 241: Gary McIntosh makes solo pastoring simple Episode 242: Brian Carpenter cures burnout through fly fishing. Special thanks to our sponsor, BELAY!If you're a church leader trying to do it all, you don't have to anymore. BELAY’s modern church staffing solutions have been helping busy church leaders delegate important the details for over a decade. And just for the incredible people who listen to Leading Simple, we partnered with BELAY to bring you a church leadership toolkit with some of the most essential resources to support you in your role. You can download the resource here.

If there’s one thing I’m passionate about, it’s supporting leaders. And Brian Carpenter shares that same passion. That’s why he started the Refuge Foundation and why we love sending groups to the incredible experiences that they create. The Refuge Foundation sets up experiences where leaders can not only grow but recover from the pains of leadership. Burnout is more prevalent in ministry and the statistics are stunning. Now, we’ve talked with one of the board members of the Refuge Foundation about how to avoid burnout (you can listen to my conversation with Lance Witt here). And it was great getting another perspective on how to prevent it. Brian and I sit down and dig into his heart behind the foundation, his experiences in ministry, and how fly fishing with friends can be one of the most restoring things you can do.Special thanks to BELAY Solutions for sponsoring this week’s episode! You can learn more about how they support pastors and leaders at belaysolutions.com/rusty.Resources (links to books mentioned

Being a solo pastor is no walk in the park. Gary Mcintosh knows that firsthand and wants to help you manage the burdens of solo pastoring. That’s why he wrote, The Solo Pastor: Understanding and Overcoming the Challenges of Leading a Church Alone.It was great getting to trade stories with Gary about our time as solo pastors, but it was even better to hear his heart behind the book and how he’s working to help resource pastors. This episode is not just for the pastor or church leader but also the small business owner or anyone doing solo life.If you’re running solo and looking for an extra hand, check out BELAY Solutions.  BELAY is a great resource to consider if you're looking for virtual assistant services, bookkeeping, or social media management. Special thanks to BELAY for sponsoring this week’s episode! Resources Connect with Gary: @drgmcintosh on Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Churchgrowthnetwork.com The Solo Pastor: Understanding and Overcoming the Challenges of Leading a Church Alone by Gary L. McIntosh A

“Should we keep asking for forgiveness? Rusty, what are you talking about? Isn’t that a commandment?”Well, to answer that question, I sat down with Ben Connelly and it was incredible getting his perspective on it. We talked about his new book Reading the Bible, Missing the Gospel and dug into some of the ways that we may make scripture a lot more about us than we do about the God we’re reading about. If you’ve ever wondered about this question, I definitely encourage you to listen to our conversation and share this episode with somebody else as well.Special thanks to BELAY Solutions for sponsoring this week!HighlightsAbout Ben Connelly - 3:03 Early life in Texas How going into ministry saved Ben. Reading the Bible, Missing the Gospel  - 6:31 The process of writing this book and the inspiration behind it Reading scripture for what we want rather than what God is saying through it. Viewing scripture through a different lens - 17:18 Three lenses to view scripture through. What does Ben actually mean when he tell

I got to have an honest conversation with Becket Cook. Becket is a speaker and author who travels around to share his story of redemption and tackle the topic of homosexuality. I’ve gotten to know Becket over the years. Recently, he came to Real Life Church to speak. I knew that I had to have him share his experience with you as well. Becket is open about his journey through being same-sex attracted and his encounter with God that set him on a new path. And I know there may be some of you who have family members and friends... maybe it's you who is trying to figure out what the truth is around identity and sexuality and where God stands on it. I think you're gonna be blessed by what Becket has to say, so listen to our conversation and feel free to share it with someone you know. HighlightsBecket’s Beginnings - 3:44 Growing up in Texas Wrestling with his identity and sexual orientation Becket’s Encounter with Jesus - 14:58 Wrestling with the meaning of life A chance encounter in a coffee shop What Becket's enc

We've got something new! We are taking the best moments from our guests on the podcast and putting them together in case you missed them! This month we have some great tidbits from Brian Dodd, Kyle Costello, Sean McDowell and Justin Knowles. Enjoy the best of Leading Simple for January 2023. 

If you've ever wondered what the deal is with kids today, then you aren’t alone. I’ve had parents ask me questions like, "How come they are so sensitive? Why are they so lacking in motivation? Why do they struggle so much with relationships"? Well, it just so happens they are dealing with anxiety and mental illness that we have never experienced in our lifetime.I’m a dad, and I know that the teen years can be particularly rough on us as parents and on our kids. That’s why I’m glad Justin Knowles came on the podcast this week. Justin Knowles is a pastor who works in student ministry and elementary-age ministry at a very large church in Southern California. Whether you’re a parent, a youth pastor, or just someone who spends time around kids and youth, Justin’s insights will shed light on what’s happening, and how you can support the young people in your life. And I’d love to hear from you: What was the most helpful thing you learned after listening? Let me know in the comments below!Special thanks to BELAY Solu