Off Mic With Ivory

Ivory McDonald
  • 5.0 (13)
  • ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to "Off Mic With Ivory," the podcast where we delve deep into the realms of worship and life. Hosted by Ivory McDonald, this captivating audio/video journey invites you to step away from the spotlight and discover the raw and authentic moments behind the music. Join Ivory, a seasoned worship leader and an insightful storyteller, as she takes you on a heartfelt exploration of the intersection between faith, worship, and everyday experiences. "Off Mic With Ivory" goes beyond the performance, beyond the platform and delves into the stories, struggles, and triumphs of individuals devoted to the pursuit of worship in all its forms. In each episode, Ivory invites influential worship leaders, musicians, and faith-driven individuals to share their personal journeys and profound insights. Together, they peel back the layers of the creative process, discussing their Christian journey and the transformative power of Jesus Christ through worship. But it doesn't stop there. Ivory goes beyond the realm of worship, drawing from her own life experiences and inviting listeners to reflect on the broader aspects of faith and existence. From navigating relationships and finding purpose to embracing vulnerability and resilience, Ivory tackles the universal challenges we all face on our personal and spiritual journeys. "Off Mic With Ivory" creates a safe space for honest conversations, where listeners are encouraged to question, explore, and deepen their understanding of worship and life. Whether you're a worship leader seeking guidance, a music enthusiast looking for inspiration, or simply someone seeking deeper meaning, this podcast offers a refreshing perspective on the joys and struggles of living a life of worship. So grab a cup of coffee, find a cozy spot, and tune in to "Off Mic With Ivory" as Ivory and her guests ignite your passion for worship, spark introspection, and remind you that true worship doesn't start on a platform but in the unfiltered moments of everyday life. Get ready to uncover the beauty and depth of worship and discover the extraordinary within the ordinary.

  1. 1D AGO

    Season 4, Episode 12 - Faith, Worship & Deconstruction - Searching for Honest Faith

    In this episode of Off Mic with Ivory, I sit down with content creator EllieUnbound for a raw and honest conversation about faith, worship culture, identity, and deconstruction. Ellie shares her journey from being a practicing Christian and worship leader to stepping back and questioning many of the things she experienced within mega church culture. Together, we talk about the tension between genuine worship and performance, the pressure of finding identity in what we do for God, and what happens when the stage becomes tied to our sense of worth. This conversation isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about honesty. It’s about wrestling with difficult questions, confronting disillusionment, and searching for what is real in the middle of deconstruction and reconstruction. Executively Produced by Ivory McDonald Audio Engineered by Ivory McDonald Video Filmed by Ivory McDonald Video Edited by Humphrey Caswell Jr. Music by Isaiah Garcia ©Off Mic with Ivory

    1h 8m

  2. MAY 13

    Season 4, Episode 11 - Worship or Performance - Can Worship and Business Coexist?

    What happens when worship starts looking more like an industry than ministry? In this episode of Off Mic with Ivory, I sit down with worship director and creative Dwyane Bennett for an honest conversation about the tension between worship, platform, performance, and profit. From concerts and production costs to branding and influence, we wrestle with a difficult but necessary question: Have we made worship more about performance than presence? More about platform than people? More about consumers than participants? This is a nuanced, honest, and needed conversation for worship leaders, musicians, creatives, and anyone passionate about worship staying centered on God. Executively Produced by Ivory McDonald Audio Engineered by Ivory McDonald Video Filmed by Ivory McDonald Video Edited by Humphrey Caswell Jr. Music by Isaiah Garcia ©Off Mic with Ivory

    1h 17m

  3. MAY 6

    Season 4, Episode 10 - Worship...The Way God Prescribed - Have We Made Worship About Us?

    Worship was never meant to revolve around us… so how did we get here? In this episode, we take an honest look at what biblical worship really is—and whether our current culture reflects it. Have we traded reverence for relatability? Presence for performance? Participation for observation? Some of these shifts are subtle… but they matter. If worship is truly about God, then we have to be willing to examine what we’ve built. Worship Leader, pastor, musician, Beliver in Christ...this episode is for you. 🎧 Watch the full episode and join the conversation. Executively Produced by Ivory McDonald Audio Engineered by Ivory McDonald Video Filmed by Ivory McDonald Video Edited by Humphrey Caswell Jr. Music by Isaiah Garcia ©Off Mic with Ivory

    41 min

  4. APR 22

    Season 4, Episode 9 - Calvin Nowell: Building Healthy Worship Teams, Worship Ministry and Ageism

    In this episode of Off Mic with Ivory, I sit down with Calvin Nowell for a conversation that goes deeper than what we see on stage. This conversation is a call back to what worship teams were always meant to be: community. We talk about what it looks like to truly see people—beyond their gift, beyond their role—and how that kind of culture changes everything. From building trust, to creating spaces where people can grow, to linking arms in a way that goes far beyond singing songs together. We also get honest about something that doesn’t get talked about enough: ageism in worship culture. How many of our older saints feel pushed to the side in spaces they helped build? And what are we losing when we don’t make room for their wisdom, their steadiness, and their lived experience? Because healthy worship teams aren’t just diverse in sound—they’re diverse in generations. And we need that. At the end of the day, this isn’t just about building great teams… it’s about building healthy ones. The kind where people are known, valued, and growing together. If you’ve ever been part of a worship team—or are leading one—this conversation might challenge how you see the people around you. 🎧 Watch the full episode and join the conversation. Executively Produced by Ivory McDonald Audio Engineered by Ivory McDonald Video Filmed by Ivory McDonald Video Edited by Humphrey Caswell Jr. Music by Isaiah Garcia ©Off Mic with Ivory

    1h 30m

  5. APR 15

    Season 4, Episode 8 - The Journey of Roosevelt Stewart Jr. - The Song of a Warrior

    In this episode of Off Mic with Ivory, I sit down with Worship Pastor Roosevelt Stewart from Transformation Worship at Transformation Church for an honest and powerful conversation about purpose, pain, and calling. Roosevelt opens up about his journey growing up in Fort Myers, where he was exposed to trauma at a young age—things no child should have to experience. Yet, even in the middle of that, God was already shaping his story. We talk about how his gift made room for him, allowing him to travel, minister across the country, and step into spaces he never imagined. Roosevelt shares wisdom for worship leaders who are trying to find their place, navigate their calling, and truly follow God’s leading—not just their opportunities. This conversation is real, grounded, and full of insight for anyone in ministry—or anyone trying to make sense of their story and trust God with the process. If you’ve ever wrestled with your past, questioned your purpose, or wondered how God could use your story… this one is for you. Executively Produced by Ivory McDonald Audio Engineered by Ivory McDonald Video Filmed by Jenna McDonald Video Edited by Humphrey Caswell Jr. Music by Isaiah Garcia ©Off Mic with Ivory

    2h 19m

  6. APR 1

    Season 4, Episode 7 - The Identity Crisis: When God Strips It All Away… Who Are You?

    What happens when everything you’ve built your identity on is stripped away? In this episode, I open up about a deeply personal season where God brought me back to the foundation. The roles, the titles, the productivity, the things I thought defined me—He began to peel it all back. And what I was left with was a hard but necessary question: If all of that is gone… who am I? I realized my identity had quietly become rooted in what I did, not in who I am in Christ. In this conversation, I share how God walked me through that process—breaking down false foundations and rebuilding my understanding of identity from the ground up. Not as a performer. Not as a leader. Not as what I produce. But as His. Before anything else, I am a daughter of God. If you’ve ever felt like your worth is tied to what you do… If you’ve ever felt lost when things slow down or fall apart… Or if you’re in a season where God is stripping things away… This episode is for you. Executively Produced by Ivory McDonald Audio Engineered by Ivory McDonald Video Filmed by Ivory Mcdonald Video Edited by Humphrey Caswell Jr. Music by Isaiah Garcia ©Off Mic with Ivory

    34 min

  7. MAR 25

    Season 4, Episode 6 - Communication Gap Between Pastors & Worship: Where is the breakdown?

    In this episode, I sit down with my good friend DWayne Bennett ( @SaintOrbin81 ) to unpack a powerful conversation from Aria Gaston’s ( @ariagaston1812 ) episode, “Worship Leaders Speak Out.” We dive into the real and often unspoken tension between worship leaders, musicians, and pastors—especially when communication breaks down. Why does this disconnect happen? And more importantly… what does it take to fix it? This isn’t just about leadership styles—it’s about unity, clarity, and stewarding what God has entrusted to us well. If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, misaligned, or unsure of how to communicate across roles in ministry… this conversation is for you. Let’s talk about it. Link to Aria Gaston's Episode: https://youtu.be/TmwTf6hXUMY?si=Xi51GN2aPsIxLg5J Executively Produced by Ivory McDonald Audio Engineered by Ivory McDonald Video Filmed by Ivory Mcdonald Video Edited by Humphrey Caswell Jr. Music by Isaiah Garcia ©Off Mic with Ivory

    1h 20m

  8. MAR 18

    Destiny Joy: Discovering The Love & Kindness of God In The Midst of Anxiety, Cancer, and Grief

    In this episode, I sit down with Destiny Joy from Transformation Worship to talk about her powerful journey of faith through some incredibly difficult seasons. Destiny shares her experience battling breast cancer, walking through anxiety and grieving the loss of her father, and discovering the deep kindness and love of God in the middle of it all. If you’ve ever wondered where God is in the middle of pain, this conversation will encourage you. Destiny is now three years cancer free, and her story is a beautiful testimony of God’s faithfulness and kindness. Listen to the full conversation and join us as we talk about faith in the fire. Executively Produced by Ivory McDonald Audio Engineered by Ivory McDonald Video Filmed by Ivory Mcdonald Video Edited by Humphrey Caswell Jr. Music by Isaiah Garcia ©Off Mic with Ivory

    1h 32m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Off Mic With Ivory," the podcast where we delve deep into the realms of worship and life. Hosted by Ivory McDonald, this captivating audio/video journey invites you to step away from the spotlight and discover the raw and authentic moments behind the music. Join Ivory, a seasoned worship leader and an insightful storyteller, as she takes you on a heartfelt exploration of the intersection between faith, worship, and everyday experiences. "Off Mic With Ivory" goes beyond the performance, beyond the platform and delves into the stories, struggles, and triumphs of individuals devoted to the pursuit of worship in all its forms. In each episode, Ivory invites influential worship leaders, musicians, and faith-driven individuals to share their personal journeys and profound insights. Together, they peel back the layers of the creative process, discussing their Christian journey and the transformative power of Jesus Christ through worship. But it doesn't stop there. Ivory goes beyond the realm of worship, drawing from her own life experiences and inviting listeners to reflect on the broader aspects of faith and existence. From navigating relationships and finding purpose to embracing vulnerability and resilience, Ivory tackles the universal challenges we all face on our personal and spiritual journeys. "Off Mic With Ivory" creates a safe space for honest conversations, where listeners are encouraged to question, explore, and deepen their understanding of worship and life. Whether you're a worship leader seeking guidance, a music enthusiast looking for inspiration, or simply someone seeking deeper meaning, this podcast offers a refreshing perspective on the joys and struggles of living a life of worship. So grab a cup of coffee, find a cozy spot, and tune in to "Off Mic With Ivory" as Ivory and her guests ignite your passion for worship, spark introspection, and remind you that true worship doesn't start on a platform but in the unfiltered moments of everyday life. Get ready to uncover the beauty and depth of worship and discover the extraordinary within the ordinary.

Information

  • Creator
    Ivory McDonald
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Off Mic With Ivory
  • Show Website
    Off Mic With Ivory

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