The Church Circle Podcast, hosted by Reuben Rohard, interviews real people working in real churches, leading the way in communications, graphic design, and beyond. You'll hear a blend of inspiration and practical advice, leaving you with a fresh perspective on the challenges and joys of building a church. New episodes drop every Thursday, so subscribe now and never miss a conversation.
People Over Pixels; Leading Creative Teams with Brian & Reuben
Introduction:
In this episode of the Church Circle Podcast, hosts Brian Caddell and Reuben Rohard sit down in person at Bayside Church to reflect on their journey building Church Circle. From the early days of vision and Zoom calls to real-life meetups and studio recordings, they share raw insights on leadership, creativity, and the friendships that make it all sustainable.
Takeaways:
Building anything great takes time, trust, and people who believe in the vision.
Shared experiences—online and in person—create deep, lasting leadership chemistry.
Vulnerability and laughter are just as essential as strategy when building community.
Every meaningful ministry starts with a “why,” but it grows through “who.”
Don’t overlook the power of hospitality in making leaders feel seen and supported.
Key Moments:
03:22 - Brian and Reuben talk about what it meant to finally meet in person after months of collaboration online.
10:10 - they unpack the “backstage” moments that built their trust—Airbnb mishaps, deep dinners, and unexpected bonding.
18:45 - the conversation turns to how Church Circle evolved from a dream into a functioning community with real people and purpose.
25:33 - they highlight the importance of having safe spaces to lead creatively without the pressure to perform.
36:50 - Brian shares a vulnerable moment about leading with intentionality even in difficult seasons.
45:03 - they close with an invitation to Church Circle and ways listeners can get involved.
Practical Tips:
Lean into your ministry relationships beyond the screen—meet up in person when possible.
Create environments where leaders can show up as themselves, not just their roles.
When launching something new, focus more on the community than the content.
Look for creative ways to “do life together,” even as digital teams.
Take the risk of building slow and honest, not fast and flashy.
9 Jun 2025
Why Worship Leaders Need Rhythms That Last with Corbin Phillips
Brief Introduction:
In this episode of the Church Circle Podcast, Reuben Rohard sits down with Corbin Phillips, worship leader at Bayside Church and a core voice behind Thrive Worship. Corbin shares wisdom on spiritual formation, songwriting for the Church, and how worship leaders can stay rooted through seasons of growth, family life, and ministry demands.
Takeaways:
Songwriting is about serving the local church, not chasing streams.
Your health as a worship leader matters more than your stage presence.
Spiritual formation fuels long-term creativity and leadership.
Team leadership happens through intentional discipleship and consistency.
Balancing family and ministry requires ruthless prioritization and rhythm.
Key Moments:
2:10 - Corbin shares his early days leading worship and how Thrive Worship organically formed from the heart of the local church.
7:55 - He unpacks how songwriting is more than creativity—it’s discipleship and theology.
12:48 - Corbin discusses how life stage and family life shift how you approach ministry and leadership.
18:25 - He talks about how rhythms and routines help him remain spiritually anchored.
25:10 - He explains how Thrive writes songs that reflect real life in the church, not just radio hits.
33:40 - Corbin offers encouragement to leaders who feel unseen or overwhelmed—reminding them that the quiet seasons are where depth is built.
Practical Tips:
Write songs that your local congregation can sing—not just what sounds trendy.
Set personal spiritual rhythms that keep your heart soft and your spirit full.
Build team culture through one-on-one moments, not just Sunday rehearsals.
Prioritize family health—it’s your first ministry.
Embrace margin in your schedule; space is sacred for creativity and growth.
Guest Information:
Thrive Worship on Spotify
Instagram: @corbinphillips
2 Jun 2025
What It’s Really Like to Lead as a Creative Director with Angel & Kari Acevedo
Brief Introduction:
In this episode of the Church Circle Podcast, Reuben Rohard sits down with Angel and Kari Acevedo—co-founders of the brand God Is a Designer. As a married creative duo, they share how they build a purpose-driven business, balance marriage and design leadership, and honor God through excellence and authenticity in everything they create.
Takeaways:
God Is a Designer began with a single post and grew into a global brand fueled by faith and vision.Healthy creative partnership in marriage starts with clear roles, boundaries, and mutual respect.Excellence in design can glorify God just as much as church ministry does.Rhythms like “Make Day” protect creative momentum and reduce burnout.Starting is more important than being perfect—obedience unlocks opportunities.
Key Moments:
1:35 – Angel & Kari share how they met and discovered their shared love for creativity.
6:40 – The backstory of God Is a Designer and how it unexpectedly gained momentum.
12:55 – Navigating business and marriage together: communication, clarity, and conflict resolution.
21:10 – Why they choose slow growth and value-aligned clients over quick wins.
29:45 – Stewarding their faith through design: what it looks like to infuse purpose into your work.
35:22 – How rest, sabbath, and family rhythms fuel long-term creative excellence.
41:40 – Final encouragement: God honors what you put your hands to—just take the first step.
Practical Tips:
Set boundaries between personal and professional roles when working with your spouse.
Establish a weekly rhythm like “Make Day” to focus deeply on creative projects.
Build in regular time for rest—burnout kills your ability to serve and create well.
Keep your message clear and your design aligned with your values.
Focus on impact over aesthetics—ask what your creativity is pointing people toward.
Guest Information:
Founders of God Is a Designer
www.godisadesigner.com
Instagram: @godisadesigner
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
12 ratings
Contact The Church Circle Podcast
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of The Church Circle Podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
