The MxU Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Reality of Being a Female Worship Pastor Oct 05, 2026

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We’re at Faith Promise with worship pastor Jess Elston, and this one gets personal. Jess talks about growing up as a Black woman in the South feeling like she had to be twice as good, and how a church that believed in her helped her step into leadership. We also get into the stuff we don’t always admit when we want a bigger role: the paycheck, the title, and wanting to prove we can do it better. Jess brings us back to a better question: who are we leading right now? Plus, communication mistakes and why the tech team eats first. Learn more about Faith Promise Church: https://www.faithpromise.org/ 👉 Learn more about MxU https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ep269-jess-elston-worship-leadership&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ep269-jess-elston-worship-leadership&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

He Tried to Fix the Worship Team in 6 weeks Sep 28, 2026

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We’re at Fellowship Church in Knoxville with Spencer Garland. Years before coming here, he quit ministry and thought he was done for good. Then the pastor he’d clashed with called when his family was grieving. We talk about trying to fix the worship team at 22, the questions he wishes he’d asked his pastor, and what brought him back. If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t keep doing this,” this one’s for you. And no, the answer isn’t to stay somewhere that keeps hurting you. Learn more about Fellowship Church: https://fellowshipknox.org/ 👉 Learn more about MxU https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=268-fellowship-church&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=268-fellowship-church&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

He Became Worship Pastor at 27—and Didn’t Feel Ready Sep 21, 2026

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David was 27 when he became worship pastor at First Baptist Concord, leading people old enough to be his grandparents. We talk about the pressure to prove you belong, why asking for help felt like admitting failure, and what changed when he stopped trying to have every answer. We also get into why Concord still has a choir, why you have to join it before getting a microphone, and how to move a church forward without treating its history like something to get rid of. Learn more about First Baptist Concord: https://concordonline.org 👉 Learn more about MxU https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=267-first-baptist-concord&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=267-first-baptist-concord&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

They Built a Church in 3 Months Sep 14, 2026

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Three months to get their new church building ready. Two pieces of painter’s tape delay the opening. And when Easter rolls around, the LED wall still won’t work. We’re at Heart and Soul Church in Knoxville with worship pastor Tristan Hayes and AJ Rucker, talking about late nights, making old gear work in a new room, and keeping a team together when everybody’s tired. Then AJ tells us about the churches he served before Heart and Soul, the moves that didn’t go as planned, and why he still shows up to serve after all of it. 👉 Learn more about MxU https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=266-heart-and-soul&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=266-heart-and-soul&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

Church Budget Crisis: How Leaders Can Respond with Integrity Sep 07, 2026

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A church hires a production company, signs the contract, and then says it doesn’t have the money to pay the bill. Now what? That story opens up a much bigger conversation about what happens when poor planning puts other people in a bad spot. How should leaders own the mistake? When should staff push back? And how do you protect your integrity when the final decision isn’t yours to make? We get into budgets, contracts, accountability, and why being a church doesn’t excuse us from doing business the right way. 👉 Sign up for a free trial of MxU https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=265-church-budget-crisis&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=265-church-budget-crisis&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

Ministry Burnout: Is Serving Costing Your Health, Faith, and Family? Aug 31, 2026

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Ministry burnout often begins when church production and worship leaders neglect the very things their leadership depends on. In this candid episode, we examine how demanding ministry seasons can undermine sleep, nutrition, spiritual disciplines, mental health, marriage, and family life. We share practical ways to prepare for busy church calendars, build sustainable habits, ask for help, and serve with excellence without sacrificing what matters most. 👉 Sign up for a free trial of MxU https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=264-ministry-self-neglect&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=264-ministry-self-neglect&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

Why Church Techs Seem Grumpy Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

We confront the pride and self-importance that can undermine church production teams, contrasting technical leaders who make others feel valued with those who seek recognition, titles, gear, or influence. We examine the grumpy church tech stereotype, insecurity, prayer, volunteer care, gossip, leadership by influence, and the temptation to build a public platform while neglecting local ministry. Along the way, we offer worship and technical arts leaders an honest framework for evaluating their priorities and team culture. 👉 Sign up for a free trial of MxU https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=worship-tech-budget-262&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=worship-tech-budget-262&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

The Worship Team Spent Our Budget Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

We tackle a recurring church leadership tension: how should worship and production share a limited budget? Examining when technical systems should take priority over instruments, tracks, custom in-ears, and team expenses; why hidden infrastructure needs are difficult to communicate; and how equipment inventories, capital planning, and honest assessment can prevent emergency gear requests. This episode offers practical guidance for worship leaders, technical directors, and church executives who want to fund people and systems with greater clarity and stewardship. 👉 Learn more about MxU: the All-in-One app for worship & tech teams https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=worship-tech-budget-262&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=worship-tech-budget-262&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

Worship vs. Production: How Church Teams Build Trust and Communicate Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Why worship leaders and church production teams often struggle to understand each other—and how shared purpose, stronger relationships, and a common language can close the gap. The conversation explores identity and status, vague creative feedback, unhealthy team culture, leadership responsibility, and the practical work required from musicians, audio engineers, and technical arts leaders to build trust and collaborate well. 👉 Learn more about MxU: the All-in-One app for worship & tech teams https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=worship-production-gap-261&utm_medium=social 💻 See MxU in action: book a demo call https://savvycal.com/mxu-team/MxU-Demo 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=worship-production-gap-261&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

The "Sixth Dude" of Dude Perfect: How Their Live Show Really Works Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

Behind every Dude Perfect show is a team making the impossible look easy. In this episode, we talk with Jeff about live sound, touring, and the systems and mindset that help create consistently great experiences.

👉 Learn more about MxU: the All-in-One app for worship & tech teams
https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=sixth-dude&utm_medium=social

💻 See MxU in action: book a demo call
https://savvycal.com/mxu-team/MxU-Demo

🆓 Discover free resources
https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=sixth-dude&utm_medium=social

👥 Join the community
https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu
https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

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