Lifeline for Leaders

Kirk and Linda Thomas

Lifeline for Leaders is a podcast created to strengthen, encourage, and unite those serving in pregnancy care clinics and pro-life ministries. Hosted by Kirk and Linda Thomas, the podcast features thoughtful conversations with leaders, ministry partners, authors, and experts who understand the unique challenges of this work. Each episode offers practical insights you can use right away, along with stories and perspectives that remind you you’re not walking this journey alone. Whether you’re navigating leadership decisions or facing a demanding season, Lifeline for Leaders exists to provide community, connection, and clarity—helping you move forward with confidence and purpose.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 41 - Prepared for the Calling with Mat Garcia

    What does it look like to step into a new leadership role and recognize that God has been preparing you for it all along? In this episode of Lifeline for Leaders, Kirk and Linda Thomas sit down with Mat Garcia, Executive Director of Ventura Pregnancy Center, to talk about leadership transitions, organizational growth, and staying focused on the mission. After 30 years in pastoral ministry and six years with the American Red Cross, Mat shares how God led him into pregnancy center leadership. Now, nine months into his role, he reflects on the importance of understanding an organization before making changes, building a strong team, and creating a clear path forward. Mat also shares practical insights on empowering abortion-minded women through compassionate care, rethinking traditional fundraising events, building meaningful church partnerships, and learning to focus on the priorities that matter most. His encouragement for leaders? Come to work every day like it’s your first day—with fresh curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a heart that recognizes the value of every person you meet. If you're navigating a leadership transition or looking for ways to strengthen your pregnancy center ministry, this conversation offers wisdom and encouragement for the journey. Connect with Mat Garcia and Ventura Pregnancy Center: https://venturacpc.org/ Books mentioned: The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins – A resource for understanding and navigating leadership transitions. Amazon: https://a.co/d/01hWpniHA Pregnancy Crisis Intervention by John Ensor – A resource Mat read to better understand how to empower women facing an unexpected pregnancy. Amazon: https://a.co/d/0dYbVXf1 🎧 Listen to Lifeline for Leaders on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes and leadership insights. 💼 Follow Lifeline for Leaders on LinkedIn for resources, encouragement, and conversations that equip leaders to serve with courage and compassion.

  2. Nov 3

    Episode 40 - Finding Your Voice: From Personal Healing to Powerful Advocacy with Lisa Maloney

    What happens when God uses the broken pieces of your story to shape your purpose? In this episode of Lifeline for Leaders, we sit down with Lisa Maloney, Executive Director of Anchor of Hope and President of the Connecticut Pregnancy Care Coalition, to talk about finding your voice, embracing your calling, and standing up for pregnancy centers in a changing culture. Lisa shares her personal journey through an unexpected pregnancy, difficult circumstances, and the healing that helped shape her passion for serving women and families. She also opens up about the story behind her book, Pieces of Glass: A Journey of Healing and Redemption, and how God used her experiences to lead her into pregnancy center ministry and advocacy. We discuss why pregnancy center leaders need to tell their stories, build relationships with local legislators, and work together through state coalitions. Lisa also offers practical advice for connecting with other centers and creating a stronger network of support. Her reminder is powerful: God can take the broken pieces of our lives and make something beautiful from them. Connect with Lisa Maloney and Anchor of Hope, and discover how your story can encourage others and strengthen the mission: https://www.facebook.com/lamal 🎧 Listen to Lifeline for Leaders on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes and leadership insights. 💼 Follow Lifeline for Leaders on LinkedIn for resources, encouragement, and conversations that equip leaders to serve with courage and compassion.

  3. Oct 27

    Episode 39 - Tracking Abortion in a Changing Landscape with Mia Steupert

    How can pregnancy care centers use reliable research to better understand abortion trends and serve women in a changing landscape? In this episode of Lifeline for Leaders, we sit down with Mia Steupert, research associate at the Charlotte Lozier Institute, to explore what abortion statistics reveal—and what they may not tell us. Mia shares how she came to pro-life research and explains the challenges of tracking abortion data across states, especially as medication abortion and mail-order access continue to shape the landscape. She discusses how changing laws, inconsistent reporting, and gaps in available data can make it difficult to see the full picture. For pregnancy care center leaders, this conversation offers important insight into using research to understand local needs, strengthen outreach, and communicate accurate information with donors, churches, and community partners. Mia also highlights resources from the Charlotte Lozier Institute that can help centers better understand the issues affecting the women and families they serve. Beyond the numbers, Mia reminds us that data should be shared with both truth and compassion—and that every child deserves protection. Connect with Mia and explore research resources: Charlotte Lozier Institute: https://lozierinstitute.org 🎧 Listen to Lifeline for Leaders on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes and leadership insights. 💼 Follow Lifeline for Leaders on LinkedIn for resources, encouragement, and conversations that equip leaders to serve with courage and compassion.

  4. Oct 20

    Episode 38 - From “Should” to “Want”: Enjoying the Bible with Keith Ferrin

    Have you ever felt like reading the Bible is something you should do rather than something you truly want to do? In this episode of Lifeline for Leaders, we sit down with Keith Ferrin, author, speaker, and Your Bible Coach, to explore how we can rediscover the joy of spending time in God’s Word. With more than 30 years of experience teaching Scripture, Keith shares how shifting from an informational approach to a relational one transformed his own Bible-reading journey. He explains why reading larger portions of Scripture helps us understand the bigger story and how simple changes in our approach can make Bible reading more meaningful and enjoyable. For pregnancy care center leaders serving others through difficult and demanding seasons, Keith offers an important reminder: God’s Word isn’t just something we use to encourage others. It’s also where we find strength, comfort, wisdom, and renewal for ourselves. You’ll also hear practical tips for reading through the whole Bible, making time for Scripture during busy seasons, and connecting with other believers to grow together. Keith leaves us with this powerful encouragement: “God isn't asking you to do everything. He's asking you to do the next right thing.” Connect with Keith Ferrin: Find Keith as @keithferrin across social media platforms and look for Your Bible Coach on YouTube to explore more resources for enjoying and understanding Scripture. 🎧 Listen to Lifeline for Leaders on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes and leadership insights. 💼 Follow Lifeline for Leaders on LinkedIn for resources, encouragement, and conversations that equip leaders to serve with courage and compassion.

  5. Oct 13

    Episode 37 - Friend-Raising, Not Fundraising: How to Win, Keep and Lift Ministry Partners with Jason Galicinski & Jim Dempsey

    What if fundraising isn’t just about raising money—but building relationships that help your ministry thrive? In this episode of Lifeline for Leaders, we sit down with Jason Galicinski and Jim Dempsey of Fundraising Masterminds to explore a biblical approach to nonprofit fundraising that puts relationships and ministry first. With decades of experience in Christian nonprofit development, Jason and Jim share why they believe development is ministry and how pregnancy care centers can move beyond traditional fundraising events to build lasting partnerships with people who believe in their mission. They introduce their Win, Keep, Lift framework for developing donor relationships, explain the difference between fundraising and friend raising, and discuss why vision-driven giving can help supporters see themselves as part of the work—not simply people being asked to give. You’ll also hear about a pregnancy center that experienced significant fundraising growth by applying these principles, along with practical insights on cultivating relationships long after an event ends. Their reminder is worth remembering: “People give to people justified by the cause.” If you’re looking for ways to strengthen donor relationships, communicate your vision, and build sustainable support for your ministry, this conversation will encourage you to approach fundraising with purpose, faith, and a long-term perspective. Listen and follow Jason & Jim: https://www.fundraisingmasterminds.net/  🎧 Listen to Lifeline for Leaders on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes and leadership insights. 💼 Follow Lifeline for Leaders on LinkedIn for resources, encouragement, and conversations that equip leaders to serve with courage and compassion.

  6. Oct 6

    Episode 36 - Before You’re Ready to Leave: Finish Well with Robin Fuller

    What does it really mean to finish well? In this episode of Lifeline for Leaders, Kirk and Linda welcome back Robin Fuller, one of the very first guests on the podcast. After 23 years as an executive director, Robin now serves as a leadership coach and helps ministry leaders navigate transition, succession planning, and what it means to finish well. Robin also shares about her new book, Finish Well: Succession Planning for the Ministry You Love, and why succession planning should be more than something leaders think about when they’re ready to leave. From preparing your staff and board to strengthening organizational structures, documenting knowledge, and creating a clear handoff, Robin offers practical steps leaders can begin taking today. But this conversation goes deeper than a succession checklist. Robin opens up about the grief, loneliness, and identity changes she experienced after leaving a ministry she loved—and how God met her in that season. Her encouragement to ministry leaders is simple: get away from the noise, spend time with the Lord, and listen for His direction. Connect with Robin Fuller: https://www.robinfuller.coach/ Robin’s Book: https://book.robinfuller.coach/ 🎧 Listen to Lifeline for Leaders on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes and leadership insights. 💼 Follow Lifeline for Leaders on LinkedIn for resources, encouragement, and conversations that equip leaders to serve with courage and compassion.

  7. Sep 29

    Episode 35 - Taking Pro-Life Ministry Mobile with Dr. Matt Phillips

    What if reaching more women means going where they are? In this episode of Lifeline for Leaders, Kirk and Linda sit down with Dr. Matthew Phillips, board-certified OB/GYN, founder of Life on Wheels, and National Medical Director for Care Net’s mobile operations. Dr. Phillips shares how God led him from medicine into pro-life ministry and how the power of ultrasound opened doors to conversations that can change hearts. He also explains why mobile ministry is becoming an important way to meet women where they are, especially as more pregnancy decisions happen outside the walls of a pregnancy center. From choosing the right locations and building volunteer teams to church partnerships, staffing, fundraising, and the importance of discernment, this conversation offers practical insight for leaders considering mobile ministry. And for leaders who are tired or wondering what’s next, Dr. Phillips leaves us with a simple encouragement: fix your eyes on God, stay in the Word, and keep doing what He has called you to do. Connect with Dr. Matthew Phillips & Life on Wheels: https://lifeonwheelsalabama.com/ 🎧 Listen to Lifeline for Leaders on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes and leadership insights. 💼 Follow Lifeline for Leaders on LinkedIn for resources, encouragement, and conversations that equip leaders to serve with courage and compassion.

  8. Sep 22

    Episode 34 - Poverty, Pregnancy Centers & Lasting Help with Nathan Mayo

    What if helping someone today could also help them build a future where they no longer need the same help? In Episode 33 of Lifeline for Leaders, we sit down with Nathan Mayo, Vice President of Programs at True Charity, to explore the connection between poverty, ministry, and the work of pregnancy care centers. Nathan shares why ministries can sometimes become focused on crisis relief without creating a pathway toward long-term development. He explains True Charity’s approach to helping people move toward dignity and lasting stability—and why relationships, accountability, measurable outcomes, and strong community partnerships matter. We also talk about the connection between chronic poverty and abortion, how pregnancy resource centers can address deeper issues without losing their core mission, and why they don't have to do everything themselves. Sometimes the answer is building the right partnerships and connecting people to resources already available in the community. Nathan leaves us with a powerful question: “How are we helping them not need us in the future?” Connect with True Charity: https://truecharity.us/ 🎧 Listen to Lifeline for Leaders on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube for new episodes and leadership insights. 💼 Follow Lifeline for Leaders on LinkedIn for resources, encouragement, and conversations that equip leaders to serve with courage and compassion.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Lifeline for Leaders is a podcast created to strengthen, encourage, and unite those serving in pregnancy care clinics and pro-life ministries. Hosted by Kirk and Linda Thomas, the podcast features thoughtful conversations with leaders, ministry partners, authors, and experts who understand the unique challenges of this work. Each episode offers practical insights you can use right away, along with stories and perspectives that remind you you’re not walking this journey alone. Whether you’re navigating leadership decisions or facing a demanding season, Lifeline for Leaders exists to provide community, connection, and clarity—helping you move forward with confidence and purpose.

Information

  • Creator
    Kirk and Linda Thomas
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Lifeline for Leaders
  • Show Website
    Lifeline for Leaders

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