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. 6d ago

    FCLP 22 | Why Things Aren’t Getting Done – and How to Fix It (Spiritual Gifts: Administration)

    In this clarifying leadership episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole continues the Spiritual Gifts Summer Series by showing how spiritual gifts assessments can become powerful tools for developing the people on your team. This episode also introduces the spiritual gift of administration and why it is often misunderstood, undervalued, and essential for healthy team leadership. You’ll gain fresh insight into how leaders can identify gifts more intentionally, create opportunities for growth, and recognize where the gift of administration strengthens clarity, execution, and long-term ministry effectiveness. TIMESTAMPS 00:57 - Why your team’s growth feels slower than it should 01:13 - Using spiritual gift assessments as leadership tools  03:52 - Focus on top three gifts for development  04:40 - Creating opportunities to test and observe gifts  05:34 - Understanding the gift of administration  05:58 - Signs you're missing administration on your team  Resources mentioned: The Spiritual Gifts Leadership Toolkit: kadicole.com/spiritualgifts Free Spiritual Gift Assessment: Giftstest.comNext 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
  2. May 18

    FCLP 21 | Why Your Team Isn’t Growing - and What Needs to Change (Spiritual Gifts Intro)

    In this insightful leadership episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole kicks off a summer series on spiritual gifts by exploring a common reason teams stop growing: leaders often develop people without understanding how God has actually gifted them. This episode introduces a biblical framework for moving beyond managing roles to developing people for lasting impact. You’ll gain fresh insight into how spiritual gifts shape team development, strengthen collaboration, and expand leadership capacity—while setting the stage for the weeks ahead as we explore specific gifts and how to lead them well. TIMESTAMPS 00:51 - The leadership pattern: investing without seeing growth  03:08 - Why spiritual gifts matter more than assessments  03:30 - Spiritual gifts vs. natural talents  04:52 - Two purposes of spiritual gifts: glorify God and build others  06:33 - Two ways God uses spiritual gifts  08:20 - Different gifts, same body  Resources mentioned: The Spiritual Gifts Leadership Toolkit: kadicole.com/spiritualgifts Free Spiritual Gift Assessment: Giftstest.comNext 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!

    16 min
  3. May 11

    FCLP 20 | Discipling vs. Leading – Why Confusing Them Is Slowing Your Team Down

    In this strategic leadership episode of the Female Church Leaders Podcast, Kadi Cole introduces a simple but powerful distinction that brings clarity to a common source of tension in ministry: the difference between discipleship and leadership. While both are essential, they operate from different expectations and responsibilities. This episode helps female church leaders recognize where misalignment may be creating confusion on their teams and offers a framework for leading with greater clarity. You’ll gain language for navigating conversations more effectively and building healthier cultures where both discipleship and leadership function as they were designed. TIMESTAMPS 0:47 - Sarah's story: confusion about church staff expectations 1:42 - The discipleship bucket: belonging and equality in Christ 1:44 - The leadership bucket: privilege, responsibility, and stewardship 3:36 - Discipleship vs leadership explained 3:41 - How leadership builds on discipleship foundation 4:29 - Understanding church hurt Resources mentioned; Emerging Trends in Leadership Development  - kadicole.com/trends Podcast: FCLP 14 | How Female Church Leaders Can Step Into Spiritual Authority Wisely 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
  4. May 4

    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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
5
out of 5
63 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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