Practical conversations for small and midsize church leaders.
Hosted by Dale Sellers, Executive Director of 95Network and former small church pastor, the 95Podcast addresses the real challenges pastors face every week—from church health, leadership clarity, to the everyday realities of leading without large staff or large budgets. These are straightforward conversations rooted in experience, not theory.
New episodes release every Tuesday wherever you listen to podcasts or delivered straight to your inbox.
Jon Sanders is the Founder of Small Town Big Church, a full-time firefighter, and is also the Director of Coaching here at 95Network. He is one of our favorite leaders in the world… a straight-shooter with a huge heart for church leaders and developing systems that help leaders thrive.
Paul Johnson is Co-Founder & CEO of Pathwright, an all-in-one design, learning, and teaching platform. He is an incredible innovator and a thoughtful leader. In today’s episode, he shares his theology of technology, what’s encouraged him and discouraged him about the Church over the past year and a half, the incredible value available for us in leveraging technology, the negative ways technology can shape us, and so much more.
On today’s episode, Austin and I are sharing some reflections on the decision for me to go on sabbatical, the heartache we feel for pastors who don’t feel like this would ever be an option, and the hope for small-church pastors to replenish.
Stephanie is the CEO of Altar Live, a new partner of ours here at 95Network focused on helping churches navigate a hybrid model of ministry. In this episode, we talk about Stephanie’s story, the culture shock she experienced in American churches, how churches can become more entrepreneurial, the real opportunity each of us have online, and so much more! Listen in!
We’re setting a record on The 95 Podcast today… We’re welcoming back a guest for the THIRD TIME! Karl Vaters is joining us back on the show for an incredible conversation that I truly can’t wait to share with you.
Chris Vitarelli is the pastor of The Road Community Church, a small multi-site church in Fenton and Howell, MI. He is the creator of the Small Church BIG Deal Conference and author of Small Church BIG Deal: How to Rethink Size, Success and Significance in Ministry.
Today, Jimmy Dodd shares why so many pastors fall, what they consistently are hearing from leaders at PastorServe, what separates remorse and repentance, and the most common lies the Enemy whispers to church leaders.
Imagine a movement of people loving their neighbors that leads to revival and renewal in our churches, our cities, and our world. That’s exactly what Jonathan Weibel & Steve Lutz are pursuing through Front Yard Mission.
We’ve got a different type of podcast today, and it’s one I’m so grateful to be able to share with you. I’ve known Tracy Hamilton, Lead Pastor of Tri-County Worship Center, for years. This past year was an especially tough one for him and his family as he lost his wife to cancer. I was out to lunch with him recently and he was sharing some things God has been teaching him as he has navigated this loss, and he was gracious enough to come on the podcast to share those things with you as well.
In this episode, John Finkelde shares incredible wisdom including how he navigated a healthy pastoral transition, what he’s been consistently sharing with leaders he’s coaching this last year, why you have to lead from a place of rest, and why your mission is deeper than church growth.
Mark Sties is co-owner (along with his wife) of Sties Design Agency. Their company has a huge heart for the Church.
Steve Smith is the founder of Church Equippers and has a long history of pastoral leadership and coaching.
Self-awareness protects leaders from self-deception. Honest feedback is a guardrail for character and culture.
Build discipleship around practice, not just information. People grow through doing, feedback, and repetition in relationships.
In this episode, Dale Sellers & Joseph Bennett interview trauma counselor Bridget Trammell about trauma, triggers, religious abuse, purity culture, and practical steps pastors can take to heal and lead healthier churches.
We usually have it backwards. . . Most of us rest from work. However, God’s desire for us is that we work from rest.
Fault leads to shame; responsibility leads to freedom. Responsibility shows you what you can actually change and release what you cannot control.
Discernment stays human. AI can help refine communication, brainstorm, or summarize—but leaders must verify and own what’s shared.
Connection starts with God first. If leaders are not connected to God, they will not lead people into meaningful connection.
Kids ministry deserves top-tier support. If the mission includes evangelism and disciple-making, the next generation should be resourced accordingly.
Most pastors aren’t refusing rest—they’re trapped by systems. Without a plan (and a bench), even a short break can feel impossible.
Preparation beats panic. Healthy leaders build a plan before the crisis—then execute calmly when disruption hits.
Equipping can’t be reduced to a weekly performance; it requires presence, relationship, modeling, and shared life.
