Next Step Leadership
Next Step Leadership is a podcast dedicated to helping you make your next step your best step. Your next step could very well determine the trajectory or direction of your life. Where we step, how we step, and when we step are all vital considerations for your next step. Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds combine decades of experience in ministry, higher education, writing, music, leading organizations, and developing teams to inspire you to aspire in life one step at a time. We desire to assist you in making your next step your very best step.
Episodes
248 episodes
Interview with Stephen Jones, Part 1 - Season 5, Episode 39
In this heartfelt episode, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell sit down with their longtime friend Stephen Jones, a leader who has dedicated his life to showing God’s love to the younger generation. Stephen shares his personal testimony, weaving i...
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Season 5
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Episode 39
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23:40
Interview with John Plake, Part 2 - Season 5, Episode 38
In the second part of the conversation, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell dive deeper with Dr. John Plake into the urgent cultural questions raised at the end of Part 1. As editor-in-chief of the annual State of the Bible research, John brings c...
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Season 5
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Episode 38
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24:59
Interview with John Plake, Part 1 - Season 5, Episode 37
In this first conversation, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell welcome Dr. John Farquhar Plake, Chief Innovation Officer at the American Bible Society. John begins by sharing his personal journey—more than three decades of ministry as a pastor, m...
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Season 5
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Episode 37
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24:28
Interview with Monte Drenner, Part 2 - Season 5, Episodes 36
In the second part of their conversation with Monte Drenner, Tracy and Chris continue exploring the practical ways faith brings strength and resilience. Monte offers wisdom for leaders, pastors, and anyone walking through hard times. His words ...
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Season 5
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Episode 36
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24:55
Interview with Monte Drenner, Part 1 - Season 5, Episodes 35
Counselor, life coach, and author Monte Drenner joins Tracy and Chris for a meaningful discussion about hope and healing. In this first episode, Monte shares his story and his calling to walk alongside people in their struggles. He talks about ...
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Season 5
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Episode 35
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24:04
Chris & Tracy Updates - Season 5, Episode 34
Most weeks, Next Step Leadership features a guest. But this time, it’s just Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell talking together. Their conversation is refreshingly honest—about vocational ministry, about writing books, and about the ongoing purpo...
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Season 5
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Episode 34
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24:20
Interview with Ben Crisp, Part 2 - Season 5, Episode 33
The conversation with Ben Crisp continues as he talks more openly about the challenges he and his wife have faced—especially walking through a season of deep disappointment. Tracy and Chris draw out his honest reflections on trusting God when l...
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Season 5
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Episode 33
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24:41
Interview with Ben Crisp, Part 1 - Season 5, Episode 32
Ben Crisp’s story is a reminder of God’s presence through every season of life. From experiencing God’s touch as a young boy, to his years as a student at Emmanuel University, to graduate school, marriage, parenting, and now pastoring a church ...
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Season 5
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Episode 32
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25:06
Interview with G. Richard Hoard, Part 2 - Season 5, Episode 31
In the second half of their interview with G. Richard Hoard, Tracy and Chris draw out even more depth and wisdom. Richard’s storytelling gifts shine as he talks about faith, creativity, and the power of words to shape lives. This episode feels ...
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Season 5
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Episode 31
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23:02
Interview with G. Richard Hoard, Part 1 - Season 5, Episode 30
Author and storyteller G. Richard Hoard joins Tracy and Chris for a fascinating conversation. In this first half of their dialogue, Richard shares glimpses of his background, his passion for writing, and his perspective on life. It feels like s...
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Season 5
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Episode 30
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22:54
Interview with Brandon McDaniel, Part 2 - Season 5, Episode 29
The conversation with Brandon McDaniel continues as Tracy and Chris move deeper into his reflections—lessons learned, people who influenced him, his obedience to God’s call into ministry, the adjustments he’s had to make, and the rhythms he’s d...
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Season 5
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Episode 29
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24:04
Interview with Brandon McDaniel, Part 1 - Season 5, Episode 28
Brandon McDaniel brings a story worth hearing. From his younger years, through his time at Emmanuel University, to life with his wife and children, to serving on a church staff, and now leading as a pastor—everyone can learn from his journey. I...
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Season 5
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Episode 28
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23:34
Interview with Brianna Edwards, Part 2 - Season 5, Episode 27
In this second conversation, Chris and Tracy talk with Brianna Edwards—a licensed child therapist, mom, and author of the children’s book The Little Roo Who Stuffed Her Stuff. Designed as a tool for parents, counselors, and educators, the book ...
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Season 5
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Episode 27
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25:40
Interview with Brianna Edwards, Part 1 - Season 5, Episode 26
When Brianna Edwards was almost 5 years old, life changed drastically. Her family welcomed the birth of her brother Nathaniel, but he was born with special needs—and her mother nearly died giving birth. From ages 5 to 9½, Brianna’s “normal” bec...
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Season 5
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Episode 26
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24:46
Interview with Terry Ross, Part 2 - Season 5, Episode 25
In this second conversation with Terry Ross, you’ll hear even more of his heart—not just his past, but his hurts and hopes. He speaks with honesty about weakness and wounds, his mission endeavors, and his decades in ministry. His story reminds ...
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Season 5
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Episode 25
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24:23
Interview with Terry Ross, Part 1 - Season 5, Episode 24
Tracy and Chris invite you to sit back and hear the remarkable story of Terry Ross. His journey weaves through years of business ventures, risky decisions, music, mission work, ministry, family, and miracles—each with lessons for all of us. Ter...
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Season 5
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Episode 24
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25:21
Interview with Peter Rosenberger, Part 2 - Season 5, Episode 23
In Part 2 of their conversation with Peter Rosenberger, Chris and Tracy continue to be inspired—and believe you will be, too. Peter’s deep love and care for his wife Gracie serve as a powerful reminder of Christ’s love for us all, and of how ea...
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Season 5
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Episode 23
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26:42
Interview with Peter Rosenberger, Part 1 - Season 5, Episode 22
Few conversations on Next Step Leadership have been as honest, funny, serious, and inspiring as this week’s episode. Chris and Tracy cherished both of their conversations with Peter Rosenberger—and they believe you will too. Peter has a remarka...
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Season 5
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Episode 22
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24:44
Interview with Hal Donaldson, Part 2 - Season 5, Episode 21
In the second episode of their conversation with Hal Donaldson, Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds believe the message is just what so many in today's world need to hear. Hal knows about wounds and scars. He knows about death and poverty. He know...
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Season 5
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Episode 21
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24:00
Interview with Hal Donaldson, Part 1 - Season 5, Episode 20
Hal Donaldson is the president and CEO of Convoy of Hope, a global, faith-based, nonprofit organization that works with communities to address root causes of poverty and hunger. According to Forbes, Convoy of Hope is among the 50 largest charit...
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Season 5
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Episode 20
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23:36
Interview with Greg Dixon, Part 2 - Season 5, Episode 19
In this second conversation, Pastor Greg Dixon picks up where last week's episode ended. Chris and Tracy want you to hear these types of stories. We might pretend to be strong while deep inside wounds are impacting us. We might present powerful...
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Season 5
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Episode 19
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23:00
Interview with Greg Dixon, Part 1 - Season 5, Episode 18
Tracy and Chris invite you to join their time with Pastor Greg Dixon. Like each episode in Next Step Leadership, this week's words are valuable for all who listen. Greg serves as executive pastor at Upward Christian Fellowship in Flat Rock, NC....
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Season 5
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Episode 18
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23:42
Interview with Brandon Goff, Part 2 - Season 5, Episode 17
Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds are glad you decided to join them in this week's episode of Next Step Leadership. As you listen to Pastor Brandon Goff's words, think about where you are in your personal journey and in your ministry. What lesso...
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Season 5
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Episode 17
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23:31
Interview with Brandon Goff, Part 1 - Season 5, Episode 16
This week and next week you will hear the conversation Tracy and Chris enjoyed with Pastor Brandon Goff. Brandon is the lead pastor at Radiate Church in Columbia, SC. Their church emphasizes the importance of loving God, loving others, and lovi...
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Season 5
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Episode 16
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23:03
Interview with Joel de Jesus, Part 2 - Season 5, Episode 15
Revived and Kickin' (Survival to Revival: A Forty Day Journey Through the Wilderness), an amazing book by Joel de Jesus, is ideal literature for today's leaders. Hear his story in this week's Next Step Leadership podcast with Tracy and...
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Season 5
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Episode 15
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22:28