The SideStage Podcast

Maverick Medina
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Music

The SideStage Podcast is for the people behind the moment. Hosted by Maverick Medina (@_maverickxj), SideStage explores worship leadership, vocal performance, live production, and the unseen decisions that shape what people experience in the room and online. These are honest, practical conversations with worship leaders, singers, musicians, audio engineers, and creatives who care about more than just talent or gear. We talk fundamentals, technique, leadership, preparation, heart posture, and what it actually takes to make moments translate. This isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about clarity. Integrity. And building foundations that last. If you serve on a worship team, mix audio, lead from the stage, or support those who do, SideStage is for you.

Episodes

  1. Sep 12

    Why Your Team Stopped Telling You the Truth | Chris Kuti

    People can stop speaking up long before they leave your team. In this episode of SideStage, I sit down with worship leader and pastor Chris Kuti for an honest conversation about trust, leadership, and the conversations we keep putting off. We talk about the five-minute conversation that could save your team, why a team outing can’t replace an apology, and what happens when leaders are willing to own their mistakes. We also get into giving young leaders room to grow, why good pay and healthy culture both matter, and figuring out whether you need a new role—or some real rest. If you lead a worship team, production crew, church staff, or people in any capacity, there’s something here to bring into your next conversation. Share this episode with someone you lead alongside, and follow SideStage for more honest conversations with the people behind the moment. Chris Kuti: https://www.instagram.com/chriskuti/ Maverick Medina: https://www.instagram.com/_maverickxj/

  2. Jan 22

    Worship Leaders Are Acting | Clark Beckham

    Are worship leaders performing… or actually leading? In Episode 001 of Side Stage, Clark Beckham joins the conversation to talk about worship leading, vocal technique, and what it really means to lead authentically on stage. This is an honest, practical conversation about foundations. Not hype. Not gear worship. Not religious performance. We talk about the unseen work that shapes what people experience in the room and online, from breath support and pitch to mic technique, in-ear mixes, and emotional presence. This episode is for worship leaders, singers, audio engineers, and production teams who care about clarity, integrity, and making moments translate. Side Stage is for the people behind the moment. In this episode, we cover:Worship leading vs performingWhat “acting” actually means in worshipLeading yourself before leading othersBreath support and pitch fundamentalsWhy vocal tuning can help or hurt live worshipProper mic placement and vocal self-mixingBuilding in-ear mixes that support confidenceHow vocalists and FOH engineers can work better togetherKey moments:00:00 The Role of Emotion in Worship Leadership05:59 The Journey to Musical Calling11:54 Authenticity vs. Performance in Worship17:56 Connecting Personal Stories to Worship28:03 Technical Fundamentals of Singing35:36 Training Your Ear for Pitch38:03 Breath Support Fundamentals39:55 Vocal Foundations and Warm-Up Techniques41:47 Importance of Hearing in Live Performance44:40 Mixing and Monitoring for Singers46:49 The Role of Talkback Communication49:33 Advocating for Your Mix53:51 Understanding Pitch Correction01:00:06 Mic Technique and Its Impact01:07:33 The Heart of Music and Artistry Resources mentioned:Clark Beckham School of MusicVocal Foundations CourseFollow Clark on Instagram @clarkbeckham

  • 2 Episodes

About

The SideStage Podcast is for the people behind the moment. Hosted by Maverick Medina (@_maverickxj), SideStage explores worship leadership, vocal performance, live production, and the unseen decisions that shape what people experience in the room and online. These are honest, practical conversations with worship leaders, singers, musicians, audio engineers, and creatives who care about more than just talent or gear. We talk fundamentals, technique, leadership, preparation, heart posture, and what it actually takes to make moments translate. This isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about clarity. Integrity. And building foundations that last. If you serve on a worship team, mix audio, lead from the stage, or support those who do, SideStage is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Maverick Medina
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Maverick Medina
  • Show Website
    The SideStage Podcast