The next generation doesn't need a better show, they need a real home. In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Dixon is joined by co-hosts Ben Stoken and Mark Hutchinson to sit down with Noah Herrin, lead pastor of Way Church in Nashville and author of “Holy Habits” and “Welcome to Manhood.” Noah planted Way Church in September 2023, and in under two years has seen over 1,500 people give their life to Jesus, including 53 salvations on launch day alone. In this conversation, Noah gets honest about what the local church is getting wrong with young adults, why community has to come before mission, what Gen Z actually wants from Scripture, and how older leaders can become the champions that young leaders desperately need. This one's practical, honest, and powerful.

Send us Fan Mail

What does it actually cost to say yes to God's call? In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Dixon and Izzy Hoffarth sit down with Cross Church Missions Pastor Julio Arriola — a man whose story spans Mexico, Argentina, Nashville, Texas, and Northwest Arkansas. Julio planted a church in Guadalajara that grew to become the largest Baptist church in a city of 1.5 million people, and has since coached and deployed church planters across the country. In this conversation, Julio gets real about the hardest decision of his life, the moment his son's tears confirmed their calling, the biggest mistake church planters make, and why prayer and fasting changed everything. Whether you're called to plant or called to stay — this episode is for you.

Send us Fan Mail

Shelley Simpson is the President & CEO of J.B. Hunt Transport Services — one of the largest logistics companies in North America, with over 33,000 employees. She started as an hourly customer service rep. She climbed every rung. And she did it without letting go of her faith, her family, or her character.

In this conversation recorded at Cross Church’s Summit Business Luncheon, Senior Pastor Nick Floyd goes deep with Shelley on what it actually looks like to lead at the highest level — while navigating a freight recession, a personal health crisis, and the pressure of Wall Street all at the same time.

This isn’t just a leadership conversation. It’s a witness. You’ll hear how Shelley keeps her non-negotiables locked in, why she wrote a personal mission statement the day her dad landed in the ICU, and what she means when she says: “Let’s go, God.”

For every leader carrying more than they let on — this one’s for you.

Send us Fan Mail

What does real leadership growth look like?

In this episode of the Rise Leadership Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Dixon and Phil McMichael sit down with executive coach Ben Cashen to talk about the three critical jumps leaders must make as they grow: becoming a five-star contributor, learning to lead as a builder manager, and stepping into enterprise leadership.

Ben shares practical insight from years of coaching CEOs and high-capacity leaders, including why promotions don’t always equal readiness, how leaders get stuck when they keep doing instead of leading, and what healthy career progression really looks like. He also brings the conversation into the church context, showing how these same principles apply to volunteers, team leaders, and coaches.

This episode will help you recognize where you are, what skills you need next, and how to grow with humility, clarity, and purpose.

Send us Fan Mail

Most people picture ministry on a stage.

But what if real ministry also looks like boardrooms, budgets, and carrying the weight of decisions that affect thousands of lives?

In this episode of the RISE Leadership Podcast, Jeremy Dixon and Phil McMichael sit down with Jeff Pearson, Executive Director of Compassion 479 and Strategic Initiatives at Cross Church.

Before joining church staff, Jeff spent nearly three decades at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, including 15 years as CFO of the organization responsible for raising the majority of its funding. He woke up every day knowing millions of dollars had to be raised — and that children’s lives depended on it.

In this honest conversation, Jeff shares:

• What the “weight of leadership” really feels like
• How to view your workplace as ministry
• The difference between platform and stewardship
• How to discern when God is releasing you from a role
• Why obedience sometimes means walking away from something you love

If you’re leading in business, healthcare, education, ministry, or anywhere in between, this episode will challenge how you think about calling.

Ministry isn’t about visibility.
It’s about faithfulness with what God has entrusted to you.

Send us Fan Mail

What if the very thing you walked through is the very thing God wants to use?

In this episode of The RISE Leadership Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Dixon and Phil McMichael sit down with Cross Church dream teamer Kelly Stamps to explore how God turns seasons of waiting, pain, and ordinary obedience into powerful ministry. Kelly never set out to build a platform but through simple faithfulness, God used her story to impact thousands and to connect couples around the world.

This conversation will challenge you to see your life differently. Your leadership doesn’t start on a stage—it starts in your story. If you’ve ever wondered whether God could use your past, your pain, or your everyday faithfulness to make a difference, this episode will remind you: He already is.

Send us Fan Mail

What really happens behind the scenes of worship ministry?

In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Dixon and co-host Phil McMichael sit down with Nick Hardeman, Cross Church’s Associate Worship Pastor/ Springdale Campus Director, to give an inside look at worship ministry at Cross Church. From auditions and development to heart posture and biblical worship, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what it means to lead people into God’s presence.

Whether you’re a talented musician, someone curious about getting involved, or a church member who simply wants to worship with greater intention, this episode will help you understand the why behind what we do—and how every person has a role to play.

This is an encouraging, honest, and practical introduction to worship ministry for dream teamers, staff, seminary residents, and anyone who wants to raise their expectation in worship.

Send us Fan Mail

In Part 2 of our Don’t Flinch conversation, Dr. Jeremy Dixon and co-host Phil McMichael sit down again with Cross Church Senior Pastor, Dr. Nick Floyd, for a candid and behind-the-scenes look at how Cross Church is navigating one of the most significant seasons of change in its 150+ year history.

Dr. Floyd shares the story of Cross Church’s long legacy of faithful leadership, the evolution into a multi-campus church, and what’s driving the launch of new campuses across Northwest Arkansas.

You’ll also hear practical insight into how Cross Church is adjusting its teaching model to scale for future growth, why unified vision matters more than ever, and how leadership development accelerates in seasons of expansion.

Whether you’re leading in ministry, business, or any growing organization, this episode will challenge you to stay steady, courageous, and mission-focused when change comes.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

· Why healthy organizations must embrace change instead of resisting it

· How Cross Church has navigated pastoral transitions and multi-campus growth

· The tension between personal preference and organizational mission

· Why leadership clarity and consistent vision are essential in seasons of expansion

· How change creates new opportunities for leadership development and ownership

· What it really means to “not flinch” when the pressure increases

If you’re leading through change, growth, or uncertainty, this episode will equip and encourage you to lead with confidence, humility, and faith.

Send us Fan Mail