Next Step Leadership

Interview with Tony Vismor, Part 2 - Season 1, Episode 30

This is the second episode of Tracy and Chris enjoying their conversation with Tony Vismor, pastor of Grace Fellowship Church. Pastor Tony again offers powerful truth in practical ways. This present crisis is much more complicated than most expected—even leaders. Pastor Tony voices key points which helped him lead during this season of uncertainty, resistance, and confusion. Practical processes like the rhythms of life are needed so leaders can bring consistency during seasons of change. Ins...

Interview with Tony Vismor, Part 1 - Season 1, Episode 29

In this Next Step Leadership podcast Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell talk with Tony Vismor, pastor of Grace Fellowship Church near Athens, GA. Tracy and Tony have served together for many years, and provide great examples of true leadership. Tony spent years working in a corporate leadership role when God revealed plans for ministry leadership. Listeners can learn much through Pastor Tony’s story about what he has learned about culture, church, and leading during crisis. Through it all, he ...

Interview with Dr. Ron White, Part 3 - Season 1, Episode 28

This episode of Next Step Leadership is the final part of Chris and Tracy’s interview with Dr. Ron White, the President of Emmanuel College. The story continues reminding leaders that miracles still happen in these days. Today’s leaders much believe that, and lead with deep assurance. If God can save Emmanuel College, God can guide leaders toward miracles in these uncertain times. Dr. Ron White‘s story about Emmanuel’s past and future, and his guidelines for leaders to pray first, pray throu...

Interview with Dr. Ron White, Part 2 - Season 1, Episode 27

Chris and Tracy continue their conversation with Dr. Ron White, the President of Emmanuel College. Dr. White’s story reveals the reality of how struggles are the very seasons leaders are assigned to guide their people through. During today’s seasons of uncertainty, Dr. White’s story about Emmanuel College needs to be heard by all present and future leaders. Good things came happen during uncertainty. Leading by example and caring for the people are essential components. Sharing is caring, as...

Interview with Dr. Ron White, Part 1 - Season 1, Episode 26

Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell engage in a Conversation with Dr. Ron White, the President of Emmanuel College. Dr. White understands the importance of healthy leaders, investing his time in leading an institution preparing future leaders. Dr. White reminds listeners that miraculous stories often begin with tragedies. He begins telling the story of what his institution faced and how he was assigned to lead during a difficult season. God speaks, will we listen? God calls, will we obey? Dr. W...

Interview with Aaron Maxwell, Part 2 - Season 1, Episode 25

Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell continue their conversation with Aaron Maxwell in this episode of Next Step Leadership. Again, Aaron is honest about why he serves God even through life’s difficult times. He has found hope through seasons of pain and he seeks to help those he is mentoring to find that same hope. Listen to the conversation. Think about your own story. What can you learn from Aaron? How have you responded to life’s hurts and hopes, your talent and gifts, your struggles and que...

Interview with Aaron Maxwell, Part 1 - Season 1, Episode 24

In Episode 24 of Next Step Leadership, Tracy and Chris invite Aaron Maxwell into their podcast conversation. Aaron and his family serve as leaders for the next generation in Dakar Senegal. Aaron tells the audience about his wife and three sons, their years of work, and why they serve in the role as dorm parents at a mission school. He reveals the importance of preparing young people for the future. Aaron confesses his own struggles and how God helped him release deep anger. By addressing his...

Being There For Others - Season 1, Episode 23

Welcome to Episode 23 of Next Step Leadership. Tracy and Chris continue their honest discussion. They have talked about mentoring and peace in the last two episodes, so in this session, they reveal how people mentored them. How did a leader help Chris find the true source of peace during difficult times? How did “time with” have more impact than “information provided?” God’s presence often brings peace as it works through other people. How do others help shift our perspective so we can see l...

Creating a Climate of Peace - Season 1, Episode 22

Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds now offer Episode 22 of Next Step Leadership. They continue the conversation from their previous podcast when Tracy told an encouraging but sad story about a mentor in his life. Each person has an impact on other people. We can offer hope to those who hurt. We can provide a healthy perspective to offer inspiration to those around us. Chris talks about ways leaders can create a climate of peace during these seasons of confusion and uncertainty. Living with pea...

Mentors, Guides, and Coaches - Season 1, Episode 21

Welcome to another conversation of Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell in their Next Step Leadership Podcast. In this episode Tracy and Chris are honest again. They invite you to join them in the adventure of grace as it relates to relationships. Too many people try to endure life’s seasons alone. Next Step Leadership welcomes servant leaders from all ages and backgrounds and locations to find true, deep friendships. Tracy tells a story about a true mentor who changed his life. What does it mea...

Hitting Pause to Live and Lead Well - Season 1, Episode 20

Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds engage in a conversation about how leaders should not just seek to lead well, but to live well. In life’s busy schedule, a time to rest and reflect isn’t always easy to plan. It is essential, though. Maxwell’s four books in his “pause series” are examples of choosing to be proactive to read, reflect, write, think, pray, and notice the wonder nearby. Taking a week or a weekend or a day or an hour, leaders need a time of rejuvenation. Leaders can lead best when...

Learning and Leading Together - Season 1, Episode 19

Today’s leaders should not travel alone. It is better to endure the leadership adventure with friends. Tracy and Chris offer their thoughts on learning together. Their previous podcast conversations with Jon Campbell, Graham Maxwell, and Ron McCants are examples of learning from the stories of others. Leaders need plans, but leaders also need to make needed changes. Vision must include adjusting and adapting. New methods of leading can teach new lessons. As you take the next step and hope to...

Interview with Ron McCants, Part 2 - Episode 18

Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell continue their conversation with Ron McCants, and they invite others to listen in. As people hear, they’ll learn lessons on leadership from stories in Ron’s book. Ron tells more stories about lessons learned from war. Leaders can remember painful experiences. Leaders can cry. Leaders can talk about their pain. By doing so, others learn from those stories. What are the pains today’s people are facing? How can leaders help create safe places? Do leaders care en...

Interview with Ron McCants, Part 1 - Episode 17

Chris and Tracy interview author Ron McCants in this episode of their podcast Next Step Leadership. Ron offers his wisdom through years of ministry and also from his service in the military. Ron’s new book, Vignettes From Vietnam, takes readers into the reality and redemptive message during a difficult time. As he tells his stories and responds to questions from Tracy and Chris, Ron inspires leaders to learn from their own seasons of various battles. We become who we are because of what we h...

Intentional Growth Requires a Plan - Season 1, Episode 16

Episode 16 of Next Step Leadership offers leaders another chance to hear a conversation with Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell. In the previous week they encouraged the audience to rest. This week they challenge listeners to not wait to see what happens, but to intentionally plan the future. Instead of viewing yourself as victims, see yourself as those who can take the initiative to lead well, to lead better, and to lead others for the best life possible. Instead of waiting to see what happen...

Pause: Rest & Reflect - Season 1, Episode 15

This week’s Next Step Leadership podcast allows audiences to listen in, hearing Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds emphasize the importance of time to rest. Chris and Tracy want those around them to grow, to learn together, to find their true purpose in life. In your present role, do you realize how important your voice is? Are you aware that others are influenced by your leadership? During this summer, it helps to remember who we are and why we do what we do. Often, taking a time to rest and ...

Interview with Graham Maxwell, Part 2 - Season 1, Episode 14

Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell again talk to Coach Graham Maxwell in today’s Next Step Leadership podcast. In this episode, Coach Maxwell offers key take away points about guiding the next generation of leaders. He tells about his years of playing basketball, and how he moved into coaching. His work speaking to young students and basketball players offers him opportunities educate them on leadership qualities. Are you giving all you can offer? Have you jumped into the deep end? Are you doi...

Interview with Graham Maxwell, Part 1 - Season 1, Episode 13

Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell continue their conversations on Next Step Leadership. In this podcast, they learn from Coach Graham Maxwell’s experience in guiding next step leaders through the sport of basketball. Coach Maxwell, who is the assistant men’s basketball coach at Emmanuel College and speaks for PGC (Point Guard College) Basketball, talks about what he’s learned as the father of two young daughters and the coach of many student athletes. He sees the importance of reminding those...

Life-Giving Leadership Practices - Season 1, Episode 12

In this episode of Next Step Leadership, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell welcome leaders to listen in and learn key points about healthy and sustainable life-giving leadership practices. Do you rest enough? Are you enjoying life? How are you managing stress? Why do you do what you do? Their honesty and joy come out as their stories provide valuable boundaries and habits for today’s leaders. Listen and learn how to take your next steps in the best ways possible. 

Discover, Develop & Deploy - Season 1, Episode 11

Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell continue their Next Step Leadership conversation emphasizing the importance of influencing future leaders. This is the essential reason why Chris and Tracy do what they do each day. As you listen, their stories will remind and motivate you to take next steps by giving younger leaders meaningful opportunities to discover, develop and deploy their gifts to bring about positive change. 

Interview with Jon Campbell, Pt 2 - Season 1, Episode 10

This episode continues the conversation Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell had with author Jon Campbell. The honesty will help people face their own grief and find ways to properly deal with sadness. Jon reveals the second part of his book, which provides practical advice from Chris Maxwell, Dr. Blake Rackley, author Russell Board, Rebecca Shirey, and Whitney Davis. 

Interview with Jon Campbell, Pt 1 - Season 1, Episode 9

Tracy and Chris continue there conversations in Next Step Leadership. In this episode they engage in conversation with their friend Jon Campbell about his new book, Room 6060. Jon’s book tells the story of his grandmother’s death, so Tracy and Chris ask Jon questions about her death and how he felt writing the book. Jon’s story offers hope to others as their hear this authentic dialogue about leaders facing grief in their personal and professional lives.

Seeing Obstacles as Opportunities - Next Step Leadership Podcast - Season 1, Episode 8

Next Step Leadership by Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell continues in Episode 8. Your voice needs to be heard. You are important. Chris and Tracy want you to know that. To help you believe that, tell their own stories and offer ideas. They’ll help you learn how to adjust to change. And also how to bring needed changes. Taking the right steps during times of uncertainty, means seeing obstacles as opportunities. Even in the storms of life, learn from others as you seek to take the next step an...

Moving On: Grieving with Grace - Next Step Leadership Podcast - Season 1, Episode 7

In Episode 7 of Next Step Leadership podcast, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell continue offering honest confessions and creative stories. As you move from where you have been to where you’re going in your next step, how can you be sure to grieve properly? Grief isn’t just related to death. We need to learn to grieve change, pain, disappointment, uncertainty. Leaders can grieve in healthy ways, helping others learn grace in grief. That is so important for leaders during these uncertain times....

Called Alongside to Help - Next Step Leadership Podcast - Season 1, Episode 6

In Episode 6 of Next Step Leadership, listen as Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell enter the dialogue where they ended the last one. Their hearts are heard in their words, encouraging listeners to assist friends and coworkers. They tell stories—Tracy about music and Chris about carrying boxes during a recent move, and both about ministry leadership—about how others are living life beside each leader. Listen to their stories and questions.  What should you carry with you for your next steps?  ...

Called Alongside to Help - Next Step Leadership Podcast - Season 1, Episode 6

In Episode 6 of Next Step Leadership, listen as Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell enter the dialogue where they ended the last one. Their hearts are heard in their words, encouraging listeners to assist friends and coworkers. They tell stories—Tracy about music and Chris about carrying boxes during a recent move, and both about ministry leadership—about how others are living life beside each leader. Listen to their stories and questions.  What should you carry with you for your next steps?  ...

Are You a Doer or a Leader? - Next Step Leadership Podcast - Season 1, Episode 5

Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell continue their conversation about helping develop future leaders. They offer ideas. They ask questions.  Are you just a doer?  Or, are you a leader?  How can we all help mentor leaders for the future?  Listen to their stories. Consider their questions. Find young leaders. Offer them opportunities. Guide them and love them and lead them into their next steps in life, and do not lead alone. 

What's Going On...Really? - Next Step Leadership Podcast - Season 1, Episode 4

This is the fourth episode as Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell continue their conversation of Next Step Leadership. Again, they are honest. Again, they are inviting listeners to think about what is really going on in life. How can leaders become better at who they are and what they are doing? Tracy uses his jazz musical knowledge and experience about the importance of structure in life. He believes in taking personal responsibility for his spiritual growth. Chris invites listeners into the d...

Where Am I? - Next Step Leadership Podcast - Season 1, Episode 3

Join Next Step Leadership’s third episode as Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell inspire listeners to take the steps awaiting them. Some leaders are reluctant. Some are afraid. Some are unsure. Some are waiting for encouragement. Some leaders are waiting for direction. Tracy and Chris start where they ended the last episode as their encourage listeners to truly face where they are in the present—a crucial awareness before knowing what next step to take. Are pains from the past controlling today...

Who Am I? - Next Step Leadership Podcast - Season 1, Episode 2

In the second podcast of Next Step Leadership, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell remind their audience to move forward to let their next steps be their best steps. They are honest about why many people doubt themselves. Leaders who are willing to truly know themselves—their gifts, their struggles, their fears, their weaknesses, their hopes—are more likely to take the right steps. They are also more willing to correctly lead others with true care. Can we accept who we are designed and created ...

Introductions - Next Step Leadership Podcast - Season 1, Episode 1