The Female Church Leaders Podcast

Kadi Cole

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. 1D AGO

    FCLP 19 | How to Use Summer to Recruit New Volunteers

    In this practical leadership episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole reframes a common ministry challenge: the summer slowdown. While many leaders brace for inconsistency and gaps, this season can actually become a strategic opportunity to expand your team and invite new people into meaningful roles. This episode helps female church leaders shift from a maintenance mindset to a more intentional approach to summer engagement. You’ll discover how simple adjustments in structure, communication, and expectations can lower barriers to entry and create new pathways for people to serve. Instead of losing momentum, you can build stronger teams, develop new leaders, and move into the fall with greater capacity and energy. TIMESTAMPS 02:06 - Reframing summer as a strategic opportunity  02:11 - 10 strategies for summer ministry success  02:46 - Lowering barriers: adjusting structure for participation 03:41 - Creating clear, short-term serving opportunities 04:41 - Smarter recruitment: meeting immediate needs & availability 05:37 - Events, training & first steps to serve 06:34 - Building what lasts: relationships, retention & finishing well Resources mentioned; Emerging Trends in Leadership Development  - kadicole.com/trends 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
  2. APR 27

    FCLP 18 | Why Summer Changes Everything - and How to Lead Moms Well (Leading Moms Series)

    In this timely leadership episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole highlights a seasonal leadership challenge many churches overlook: how summer impacts the capacity of moms on your team. While ministry often builds momentum after Easter, shifting family rhythms – especially for parents – can quietly reshape energy, focus, and availability. This episode helps leaders anticipate those changes with intention and offers five practical leadership adjustments that support both ministry effectiveness and family health. Instead of reacting to tension mid-season, you’ll learn how thoughtful planning, clear communication, and shared expectations can create a culture where both leaders and their families are set up to thrive. TIMESTAMPS 00:53 - Introducing the Leading Moms Series  02:33 - Understanding the mental load  03:08 - Why summer intensifies cognitive labor  04:45 - Three common pitfalls when leading moms  06:30 - Five proactive leadership strategies  09:50 - Initiate conversations early Resources mentioned; Emerging Trends in Leadership Development  - kadicole.com/trends 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
  3. APR 20

    FCLP 17 | Why You Keep Second-Guessing Your Leadership - The Likability Trap

    In this insightful leadership episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole explores a common tension many women experience as their leadership grows: the internal pressure to balance being liked with being respected. While this dynamic is rarely stated out loud, it often shapes how decisions are made, how clearly leaders communicate, and how fully they step into their calling. This episode helps female church leaders recognize when the desire for approval is quietly influencing their leadership and offers a healthier framework for navigating relational expectations without shrinking their authority. You’ll gain perspective on how this tension shows up in ministry environments and how anchoring your leadership in calling - rather than approval - creates clarity, confidence, and long-term impact. TIMESTAMPS 01:17 - The Likability Trap: choosing between being liked or respected  01:50 - How men and women experience leadership growth differently  05:55 - Why The Likability Trap shows up strongly in church environments  09:20 - Kadi's personal story: 360 feedback 09:15 - Not every challenge is The Likability Trap 12:05 - Practical steps to navigate The Likability Trap Resources mentioned; Emerging Trends in Leadership Development  - kadicole.com/trends 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
  4. APR 13

    FCLP 16 | Why Motivation Dips – and How to Rebuild It

    In this clarifying episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole unpacks a common but often misunderstood experience in ministry: the quiet loss of motivation. While it can feel personal or unpredictable, research shows that motivation follows patterns – and when those patterns are disrupted, energy and engagement begin to fade. This episode helps female church leaders understand what’s actually happening beneath disengagement, both in themselves and in their teams. Through a simple framework of four core drivers – meaning, ownership, progress, and connection – you’ll learn how to recognize early signs of motivational decline and make small leadership adjustments that restore energy and momentum. TIMESTAMPS 01:40 - Defining motivation 02:21 - Self-Determination Theory  03:24 - Element 1: Meaning  03:52 - Element 2: Ownership  04:20 - Element 3: Progress  04:47 - Element 4: Connection  06:06 - Losing motivation in higher leadership  Resources mentioned; Emerging Trends in Leadership Development  - kadicole.com/trends 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
  5. APR 6

    FCLP 15 | Invisible Labor: Why You’re Tired and What To Do About It

    In this research-based leadership episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole explores a hidden dynamic that quietly drains many ministry leaders: invisible labor. Research shows women often carry a disproportionate amount of relational and emotional work - mentoring others, smoothing conflict, remembering details, and caring for team culture. This episode helps female church leaders recognize when invisible ministry work is happening and offers four leadership shifts that create healthier, more sustainable cultures. Instead of one person carrying the relational load, you’ll learn how mature leadership multiplies care across the entire team. TIMESTAMPS 01:02 - What is invisible labor and why women carry more  01:30 - How invisible labor shows up in church leadership  02:41 - Shift #1: Learn to recognize invisible labor  05:07 - Shift #2: Discern which invisible work should continue  06:20 - Shift #3: Resist the pressure to carry it for everyone 07:40 - Shift #4: From carrying culture to building culture 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
  6. MAR 30

    FCLP 14 | How Female Church Leaders Can Step Into Spiritual Authority Wisely

    In this clarifying episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole explores a quiet tension many female church leaders carry: the difference between caretaking and spiritual leadership. While many women are deeply committed to serving and caring for others, uncertainty about spiritual authority can sometimes hold leaders back from stepping fully into the ministry moments God places in front of them. This episode explains the difference between organizational authority and spiritual authority, why every believer carries authority given by Christ, and how leaders can begin practicing spiritual leadership with wisdom and confidence. You’ll also hear a powerful ministry story that reframes how leaders can equip others to step into moments of prayer, encouragement, and discipleship. TIMESTAMPS 02:15 - The difference between caretaking and spiritual leadership  04:30 - Organizational authority vs. spiritual authority  08:20 - Priesthood of all believers  10:40 - Unintentionally giving away our spiritual authority 13:25 - Two common concerns women leaders face  15:10 - A challenge for Easter weekend 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!

    14 min
  7. MAR 23

    FCLP 13 | How to Lead Easter Well: Pacing the Event, Your Team, and Yourself

    In this timely leadership episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole shares a healthier way to approach one of the most intense seasons in church life: Easter. Instead of treating major ministry moments like a sprint, she explains why leaders should think of them more like a marathon relay. You’ll learn three simple pacing strategies that help leaders navigate big ministry seasons with greater clarity and sustainability: pacing the event, pacing your team, and pacing yourself. These small leadership adjustments can protect your energy, strengthen your team, and help you fully experience the beauty of what God is doing during meaningful moments like Easter. TIMESTAMPS 02:15 - Why Easter season feels so intense  03:45 - What Research says about Easter and leader fatigue 07:30 - Three ways to pace easter well 08:00 - Pace the event: Think in seasons, not days  12:00 - Pace your team: Leading with healthy rhythms 13:30 - Why appreciation should be planned early 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!

    15 min
  8. MAR 16

    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
5
out of 5
61 Ratings

About

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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