The Female Church Leaders Podcast

Kadi Cole
  • 5.0 (38)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

The Female Church Leaders Podcast with Kadi Cole offers practical tools and biblical insight for women leading in the local church. Each week, Kadi shares real stories, leadership strategies, and spiritual encouragement to help you grow in confidence, sharpen your skills, and lead with clarity. Whether you’re on staff, volunteering, building a ministry, or stepping into new levels of leadership, you’ll find wisdom, hope, and a community of female church leaders who get it - and are cheering you on!

  1. 3D AGO

    FCLP 12 | Why Women Are Using AI Less Than Men

    In this practical leadership conversation, Kadi Cole explores a quiet technology gap that could shape the future of ministry leadership. Research shows women are currently using AI tools significantly less than men in professional environments - and that difference may affect your leadership capacity for years to come. This episode explains what AI actually is in simple terms, addresses the ethical conflict many women feel about using it, and offers practical ways to begin using these tools wisely. You’ll learn how AI can function like administrative support - helping organize ideas, draft documents, and reclaim time - while you remain fully responsible for discernment, leadership, and final decisions. TIMESTAMPS 02:15 - Women using AI 25% less than men  03:45 - Why AI can feel like an integrity issue  06:20 - What is AI?  09:10 - Is using AI cheating?  11:30 - Leaning In Early: The Hidden Figures Lesson  16:00 - How to use AI: The 10-80-10 delegation method  19:20 - What to be careful about using AI Resources mentioned: Podcast: FCLP 3 | Delegating Without Micromanaging Using 10-80-10 Next Steps and Resources: Take the Quiz: Identify your growth gap with our Sticky Floor Quiz at femalechurchleaders.com. Join a Cohort: Be part of our next Closing the Leadership Gap cohort for guided coaching and monthly Q&A with Kadi. Visit closingtheleadershipgap.com to learn more. Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram @femalechurchleaders for daily encouragement and leadership tools. Spread the Word: If you found this episode helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help us reach more female church leaders. Tune in and get ready to lead with clarity, strength, and joy. Your calling matters, and we're here to support you every step of the way!

    20 min

  2. MAR 9

    FCLP 11 | Why Titles Matter More Than We Think

    In this thoughtful leadership episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole explores why titles aren’t about status but about clarity. When title, responsibility, and authority are misaligned, confusion quietly grows. When they align, teams function more effectively and trust deepens. You’ll learn what titles actually communicate, how scale affects naming decisions, and how to approach conversations about title alignment with humility and wisdom. If you’ve ever wondered whether titles really matter in ministry leadership, this episode will help you think about them in a more strategic and healthy way. TIMESTAMPS 02:15 - Why titles matter 04:30 - How titles provide clarity  06:45 - Scale matters: leading 10 vs. 400  08:20 - Church works different than the Marketplace  10:00 - The "Pastor" & “Director” title debate  12:15 - Motivation: pride or church health Resources mentioned: Theological Cheat Sheet -  kadicole.com/theological Book: Developing Female Leaders Book Next Steps and Resources: Take the Quiz: Identify your growth gap with our Sticky Floor Quiz at femalechurchleaders.com. Join a Cohort: Be part of our next Closing the Leadership Gap cohort for guided coaching and monthly Q&A with Kadi. Visit closingtheleadershipgap.com to learn more. Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram @femalechurchleaders for daily encouragement and leadership tools. Spread the Word: If you found this episode helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help us reach more female church leaders. Tune in and get ready to lead with clarity, strength, and joy. Your calling matters, and we're here to support you every step of the way!

    12 min

  3. MAR 2

    FCLP 10 | How to Use Feedback to Your Advantage (Even When It Feels Risky)

    In this skill-building episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole unpacks why feedback feels risky - and why avoiding it quietly limits leadership growth. Drawing from research and personal experience, she explains how specific, forward-facing feedback accelerates competency and builds lasting confidence. You’ll learn how to ask for actionable input without undermining yourself, how to evaluate performance with sober judgment instead of emotion, and how to give feedback that strengthens others using simple, practical language. If you want to grow beyond instinct and into intentional development, this episode gives you tools you can apply immediately. TIMESTAMPS 01:00 - Why we avoid constructive feedback  01:40 - The difference between vague praise and actionable feedback  02:10 - How to ask for specific feedback 06:10 - Using annual performance reviews for growth  07:30 - Giving feedback as a leader  08:45 - Action steps: Ask for and give forward-facing feedback  Resources mentioned: Theological Cheat Sheet -  kadicole.com/theological Next Steps and Resources: Take the Quiz: Identify your growth gap with our Sticky Floor Quiz at femalechurchleaders.com. Join a Cohort: Be part of our next Closing the Leadership Gap cohort for guided coaching and monthly Q&A with Kadi. Visit closingtheleadershipgap.com to learn more. Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram @femalechurchleaders for daily encouragement and leadership tools. Spread the Word: If you found this episode helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help us reach more female church leaders. Tune in and get ready to lead with clarity, strength, and joy. Your calling matters, and we're here to support you every step of the way!

    9 min

  4. FEB 23

    FCLP 9 | Sustainability: How to Stay Faithful Without Burning Out

    In this refreshing episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole reframes sustainability as faithfulness over time - not self-care as an escape, but stewardship that allows leaders to finish well. As your ministry pace increases, this episode offers a practical framework for protecting energy without lowering commitment. You’ll learn how to build physical, spiritual, and relational rhythms that prevent burnout before it begins, how to strategically lower the bar when needed, and why doing everything is not the same as obedience. If you want your leadership to last for years - not just for this current season - this episode will help you think differently about how to sustain your leadership for the long haul. TIMESTAMPS 01:15 - The challenge of increased ministry pace heading into Easter  02:00 - Understanding sustainability as faithfulness over time  02:45 - Humans as renewable but not unlimited resources  04:00 - The true cause of burnout 05:15 - Physical, Spiritual & Relational Sustainability 06:55 - One Action Step Before Easter Next Steps and Resources: Take the Quiz: Identify your growth gap with our Sticky Floor Quiz at femalechurchleaders.com. Join a Cohort: Be part of our next Closing the Leadership Gap cohort for guided coaching and monthly Q&A with Kadi. Visit closingtheleadershipgap.com to learn more. Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram @femalechurchleaders for daily encouragement and leadership tools. Spread the Word: If you found this episode helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help us reach more female church leaders. Tune in and get ready to lead with clarity, strength, and joy. Your calling matters, and we're here to support you every step of the way!

    9 min

  5. FEB 16

    FCLP 8 | How to Be Assertive Without Feeling Harsh or Unkind

    In this much needed episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole breaks down what healthy, godly assertiveness actually looks like for women in ministry. Instead of choosing between being quiet or forceful, this episode offers a clear framework for leading with truth and love, without apology or over-explaining. You’ll learn how to recognize passive, aggressive, and assertive communication patterns, why assertiveness is a learnable leadership skill, and how practicing clarity strengthens confidence over time. If you want your leadership voice to feel more aligned, steady, and effective, this episode gives you language you can use right away. TIMESTAMPS 01:15 - The struggle of calibrating your leadership voice  02:30 - What we're taught NOT to be as female leaders  03:45 - The leadership tension between passivity and aggression  06:20 - Three primary communication styles explained  07:45 - Passive communication and its costs  08:30 - Aggressive communication and its costs  09:15 - Assertive communication: Jesus as the model Resources mentioned: Assertiveness Cheat Sheet -  kadicole.com/assertiveness Next Steps and Resources: Take the Quiz: Identify your growth gap with our Sticky Floor Quiz at femalechurchleaders.com. Join a Cohort: Be part of our next Closing the Leadership Gap cohort for guided coaching and monthly Q&A with Kadi. Visit closingtheleadershipgap.com to learn more. Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram @femalechurchleaders for daily encouragement and leadership tools. Spread the Word: If you found this episode helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help us reach more female church leaders. Tune in and get ready to lead with clarity, strength, and joy. Your calling matters, and we're here to support you every step of the way!

    10 min

  6. FEB 9

    FCLP 7 | The Project Triangle and How To Negotiate Added Demands

    In this actionable episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole introduces The Project Triangle - a simple leadership framework for navigating moments when vision expands but capacity doesn’t. You’ll learn how to use time, budget, and quality to clarify expectations and identify tradeoffs before pressure quietly lands on you or your team This episode equips you with clear language to negotiate added demands without sounding resistant or disengaged. If you want to lead with wisdom, protect your people, and steward energy well in fast-moving ministry environments, this is a skill you’ll use again and again. TIMESTAMPS 01:15 - The Ministry Leadership Challenge 02:45 - The Project Triangle Explained 04:30 - Why Women Leaders Absorb Costs Personally 06:00 - Practical Examples of Negotiating Added Demands 08:15 - Leading from the Framework Instead of Emotion Resources mentioned: Assertiveness Cheat Sheet -  kadicole.com/assertiveness  Next Steps and Resources: Take the Quiz: Identify your growth gap with our Sticky Floor Quiz at femalechurchleaders.com. Join a Cohort: Be part of our next Closing the Leadership Gap cohort for guided coaching and monthly Q&A with Kadi. Visit closingtheleadershipgap.com to learn more. Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram @femalechurchleaders for daily encouragement and leadership tools. Spread the Word: If you found this episode helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help us reach more female church leaders. Tune in and get ready to lead with clarity, strength, and joy. Your calling matters, and we're here to support you every step of the way!

    11 min

  7. FEB 2

    FCLP 6 | Why Volunteers Drift

    In this practical episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole explains why volunteer disengagement is rarely a motivation issue and almost always a leadership signal. She breaks down the specific conditions that cause volunteers to drift - and how small leadership shifts can make a big difference. You’ll learn how to lead volunteers with clear expectations, meaningful ownership, healthy assertiveness, and simple follow-up practices that build trust and growth. This episode equips you with practical tools to develop people - not just fill roles - so your teams stay engaged, healthy, and aligned with the mission. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Introduction - Why volunteer leadership is sacred, not secondary 2:30 - Four reasons volunteers disengage 5:15 - The role of assertiveness in volunteer leadership 7:00 - Four practical foundations: 8:45 - Provide clear, simple role descriptions  8:45 - Know your people, not just roles 10:15 - Annual check-ins and clear commitments 12:00 - Use high-attendance seasons (Easter/Christmas) for recruitment Resources mentioned: Assertiveness Cheat Sheet. Download it at kadicole.com/assertiveness  Next Steps and Resources: Take the Quiz: Identify your growth gap with our Sticky Floor Quiz at femalechurchleaders.com. Join a Cohort: Be part of our next Closing the Leadership Gap cohort for guided coaching and monthly Q&A with Kadi. Visit closingtheleadershipgap.com to learn more. Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram @femalechurchleaders for daily encouragement and leadership tools. Spread the Word: If you found this episode helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help us reach more female church leaders. Tune in and get ready to lead with clarity, strength, and joy. Your calling matters, and we're here to support you every step of the way!

    15 min

  8. JAN 26

    FCLP 5 | The Broken Rung and Why Your First Opportunity Matters

    In this clarifying episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole breaks down why so many capable female leaders feel stuck early in their leadership journey. Drawing on research and ministry experience, she explains the “Broken Rung” - the missing early leadership opportunities that shape long-term growth. You’ll learn how access shapes leadership formation, how to identify the next growth step you need, and how to ask for opportunities that build skill rather than just add responsibility. You’ll also learn why sponsorship - not just mentorship - is essential for developing future leaders and how you can begin creating access for others. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Why female leaders feel “stuck” in leadership 02:15 - The Broken Rung: Why women stall early in church leadership 04:30 - Women in church leadership statistics: Volunteers vs leadership roles 06:45 - Challenging biases about women in leadership 08:20 - Gaining “sober judgment” 10:00 - It's never too late and you haven't missed your moment! 12:15 - How sponsors help more than mentors Next Steps and Resources: Take the Quiz: Identify your growth gap with our Sticky Floor Quiz at femalechurchleaders.com. Join a Cohort: Be part of our next Closing the Leadership Gap cohort for guided coaching and monthly Q&A with Kadi. Visit closingtheleadershipgap.com to learn more. Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram @femalechurchleaders for daily encouragement and leadership tools. Spread the Word: If you found this episode helpful, please follow, rate, and share the podcast to help us reach more female church leaders. Tune in and get ready to lead with clarity, strength, and joy. Your calling matters, and we're here to support you every step of the way!

    14 min
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The Female Church Leaders Podcast with Kadi Cole offers practical tools and biblical insight for women leading in the local church. Each week, Kadi shares real stories, leadership strategies, and spiritual encouragement to help you grow in confidence, sharpen your skills, and lead with clarity. Whether you’re on staff, volunteering, building a ministry, or stepping into new levels of leadership, you’ll find wisdom, hope, and a community of female church leaders who get it - and are cheering you on!

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