Humble Renegade Podcast

Bookie + Kesha Gates

A Podcast for Servant Leaders by Servant Leaders . Instigating. Agitating. Interrupting the Status Quo so that Servant Leaders are Emboldened to use their God-given gifts for kingdom impact in their spheres of influence. 

  1. JAN 21

    Episode 11 | Define It: Why Clarity is a Catalyst

    In this episode of Humble Renegades, Kesha and Bookie explore the critical moment when discovery meets definition. It's one thing to know you’re called. It’s another to name it clearly. This episode walks you through why definition is more than semantics. It gives you structure, focus, and power. Through honest storytelling, practical frameworks, and plenty of real talk, they walk you through three areas every servant leader must define: your burden, your role, and your desired outcome. Because without clarity, even the right calling can feel overwhelming. If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to make progress on your vision, this conversation will help you stop chasing everything and start building something. What You’ll Hear: Why defining your burden is the first step toward alignmentThe importance of naming your role honestly and specificallyHow clarity helps you say no without guilt and build with intentionThe difference between inspiration + impact and why both matterWhy God often gives steps, not blueprints, and how to move anyway3 Sentences to Complete to Define It: The burden I feel responsible for is...My role in addressing it is...The outcome I’m working toward is...Use these as journal prompts or conversation starters. When answered with honesty, they’ll change how you show up and how others experience your leadership. Thank you for listening. Please subscribe, comment and share your thoughts with us about this episode.

    33 min
  2. JAN 8

    Episode 10 |  Echoes of the Crowd: How We Harness Public Opinion to Solve Community Problems

    In this episode of the Humble Renegade Podcast, Bookie and Kesha explore the underrated but essential role of public opinion in shaping sustainable community work. It’s about listening with intention and being careful to not react to the noise, recognize prophetic voices in the crowd, and learning to discern the difference between feedback that’s noise and feedback whose intention is to nourish. Drawing from real-life lessons in community organizing, barbershop culture, faith spaces, and Baseball Beyond Borders, they challenge leaders to create listening spaces, look for patterns, and close the feedback loop because stronger programs are built on stronger trust. Whether you’re leading a nonprofit, launching a new initiative, or showing up for your neighborhood, this episode will shift how you think about feedback, presence, and power. What You’ll Hear: Why public opinion is more than politicsHow lived experience becomes insight when we slow down to listenThe spiritual practice of discerning prophetic voices in everyday spacesReal lessons from starting Baseball Beyond BordersWhy leaders must learn to sit with tension, not rush to respond3 Practices for Harnessing Public Opinion: Create Listening Spaces: Small groups, one-on-ones, or community touchpoints where people feel safe to speak freelyLook for Patterns: Volume doesn’t matter as much as repeated themes that reveal deeper needsClose the Loop: Share how feedback shaped your decisions to build credibility and trustReflection Questions: Who have I stopped listening to and why?What feedback keeps resurfacing that I haven’t yet explored?Where can I create more intentional space for listening?Thank you for listening. Please subscribe, comment and share your thoughts with us about this episode.

    25 min
  3. 09/28/2025

    Episode 9 | Priorities: Building With the End in Mind

    In this episode of Humble Renegades, Bookie and Kesha break down what it means to set, live out, and lead with priorities that empower the people who are participating in the programs. Using the Nike RBI West Regional Tournament as a real-time case study, they walk through how clear priorities create trust, unity, and momentum in a community. Beyond theory, Bookie shares strategy in action. From honoring the voices of student-athletes and families to solving logistical challenges with excellence and intention, you’ll hear how clarity made success feel inevitable and how that same clarity can transform the way you serve. Whether you're leading a team, at the beginning of building a vision, or navigating change in your community, this episode will help you focus forward and put people first. What You’ll Hear: Why priorities matter more than plansHow to build momentum through clarityA real behind-the-scenes look at organizing a regional tournamentThe difference between essential priorities and extrasHow listening, proximity, and anticipation build trust3-Step Framework: Clarify the Win: Define what success looks like togetherResource the Plan: Put the right people, tools, and funding in placeTrack and Celebrate: Let small wins fuel big onesQuote Highlights: “Clarity makes success feel inevitable.”“Being a champion is about lifting others as they rise.”Reflection Prompt: Think about what your community actually needs, not just what you want to give them. Where do your priorities align with theirs? Where might you need to adjust? To learn more about the work that Bookie is doing in the community, visit www.baseballbeyond.org Thank you for listening. Please subscribe, comment and share your thoughts with us about this episode.

    25 min
  4. 09/28/2025

    Episode 8 | Discover It: Start Where You Are, Use What You Know

    In this episode of Humble Renegades, Kesha and Bookie unpack what it means to “discover” your life’s work. It's not by chasing titles or trends, but by reflecting on your story, your patterns, and your God-given burden. They explore the early stages of calling and the tension between what you’re good at, what people expect of you, and what you’re truly called to steward. This conversation will resonate deeply with anyone who’s felt like their gifts don’t fit inside a job description or their burden doesn't make sense on paper. Through honest stories and practical insight, you’ll be encouraged to revisit your past not to stay there, but to extract the evidence of your purpose. Because discovering your assignment isn’t about getting it perfect. It’s about paying attention. What You’ll Hear: How to identify your God-given burdenWhy discovering your calling starts with reflecting, not rushingThe difference between gifting and callingHow imposter syndrome and people-pleasing distract us from alignmentWhy your past jobs, roles, and life experiences hold clues to your futureHow the “Discover It” phase fits within the Get It Done MethodQuote Highlights: “Your burden is often the birthplace of your assignment.”“You’re building from story.”“Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean it’s your calling.”Reflection Questions: What are the themes that show up in your life over and over again?What problem in the world burdens you the most?What have people always come to you for?Take It Further: Ready to go deeper in discovering your own life’s work? Connect with Kesha at www.lakeshagates.com  Thank you for listening. Please subscribe, comment and share your thoughts with us about this episode.

    31 min
  5. 06/20/2025 · BONUS

    Bonus Episode | The Fruit of Reconciliation

    In this powerful bonus episode of the Humble Renegade Podcast, Kesha and Bookie welcome their very first guest, Elizabeth Perkins, Co-President of the John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation and daughter of the legendary civil rights and Christian reconciliation pioneer, Dr. John Perkins. Recorded at the Antioch House in Jackson, MS, this heartfelt conversation digs into legacy, leadership, and the transformative power of reconciliation. Elizabeth shares deeply personal stories from growing up in a household that didn’t just preach the gospel but lived it out through the three foundational principles of Christian Community Development: relocation, reconciliation, and redistribution. Together, they explore how these timeless values are still changing lives, how faith intersects with action, and how legacy is not just inherited but actively lived. From the origin story of the Reconciliation Tour baseball camp to the redemptive work of community development in Jackson, this episode is a testimony to grace, perseverence, and the gifts of multigenerational leadership. Show Notes Guest: Elizabeth Perkins | Co-President of the John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation Topics Covered: The 3 Rs of Christian Community DevelopmentLiving the gospel beyond Sunday sermonsWhat reconciliation really requires: humility, truth-telling, and forgivenessLegacy leadership and the power of proximityBaseball as a vehicle for healing and community engagementCarrying the mission forward with urgency and loveMentioned: Dr. John PerkinsVera Mae PerkinsChristian Community Development Association (CCDA)Baseball Beyond Borders The Reconciliation Tour documentary (Watch Here)Equal Justice Initiative & Anthony Ray HintonJackson State UniversityUncle Bud’s Field at the Perkins FoundationGet Involved: Visit JVMPF.org to learn more about the Foundation’s mission and how you can support its work through prayer, donations, or volunteerism. Thank you for listening. Please subscribe, comment and share your thoughts with us about this episode.

    33 min
  6. 05/15/2025

    Episode 6 | Embody It: Living What You Believe

    In this episode of Humble Renegades, Kesha and Bookie explore what it truly means to embody your values and gifts. This isn’t about lofty ideas or big declarations. It’s about how you show up in real life. How do your habits, mindset, and daily actions reflect the purpose you carry? Kesha introduces the concept of the “life resume,” a tool to help you take stock of your lived experiences, natural talents, and the meaningful ways you already contribute to the world around you. They explore how practicing your gifts consistently can create a deeper sense of purpose and how alignment in your life can unlock a greater impact. Whether you’re rediscovering your voice or stepping into a new season, this conversation encourages you to be fully present with what you’ve been given and to lead from there. What You’ll Hear: What a life resume is and how to create oneHow to identify your natural gifts by looking at where you’ve already made impactWhy consistent habits matter more than big momentsHow proximity and presence help shape purposeReal stories of transformation through living in alignmentA reminder that your gift is meant to serve others, not just yourselfChallenge for the Week: Write your life resume. Think about the roles you’ve played, the people you’ve helped, the values you live by, and the lessons you’ve learned. Use it as a reminder of who you are and what you carry. To go deeper, reach out to Kesha at connect@lakeshagates.com for details on the Life’s Work Challenge. Thank you for listening. Please subscribe, comment and share your thoughts with us about this episode.

    28 min
  7. 04/18/2025

    Episode 5 | People: The Voices of the Village

    In this powerful episode of Humble Renegades, Kesha and Bookie Gates explore the heartbeat of community engagement, people. Bookie breaks down the first "P" in his G7 Philosophy™: People. From honoring lived experiences to co-creating relevant solutions, this conversation challenges leaders to center the voices of the village rather than speaking for them. The duo shares real stories, hard truths, and tangible strategies for building trust, avoiding harmful assumptions, and creating space where every voice matters. They discuss why leading from the back, practicing humility, and embracing diversity are essential to authentic servant leadership. Whether you're a community builder, grassroots leader, or someone rethinking how to engage meaningfully with others, this episode will remind you: People don't support what they don't feel connected to. Episode Highlights: Why "people" must come first in any engagement strategyThe dangers of assumptions and surface-level representationHow to build trust and co-create with, not for, communityLeading from behind: Servant leadership in actionUnderstanding the nuances of demographic needsEmpowering others through empathy, curiosity, and proximityCall to Action: Start listening before creating solutions. Be curious. Ask who needs to be heard and challenge yourself to truly see them. Understand that legacy is built not by standing alone, but by lifting others as you rise.Tag us on social media and share your thoughts! Join the Conversation: Follow Humble Renegades @humblerenegade on social media and let us know how this episode inspired you! How to Listen Now: This Podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Thank you for listening. Please subscribe, comment and share your thoughts with us about this episode.

    25 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A Podcast for Servant Leaders by Servant Leaders . Instigating. Agitating. Interrupting the Status Quo so that Servant Leaders are Emboldened to use their God-given gifts for kingdom impact in their spheres of influence.