Empowered To Lead
Empowered to Lead is the go-to podcast for Christian women who are ready to rise into courageous, Spirit-led leadership in the Church and the world. Hosted by Jeannette Cochran, pastor, leadership coach, and champion for women in ministry, this show speaks to women who are leading (or longing to lead) in churches, nonprofits, and faith-based spaces where women leaders have historically been excluded or sidelined. With over 20 years of experience in executive church leadership and a heart for equipping women, Jeannette brings biblical insight, practical wisdom, and unflinching honesty to every conversation. Each episode tackles the real challenges women face in leadership: navigating bias, overcoming self-doubt, leading in male-dominated environments, building influence, and staying spiritually grounded while doing it all. You’ll hear empowering teaching, honest conversations, and soul-deep encouragement that helps you lead with clarity, courage, and conviction. Because when women rise, the Church is renewed, the world is transformed, and everyone flourishes. If you’re ready to reclaim your voice, own your calling, and lead with boldness and purpose, this is your space. You are Empowered to Lead.
Episodes
Friday Dec 08, 2023
25. From Clutter to Clarity: Purposeful Organizing with Lindsey Hardegree
Friday Dec 08, 2023
Friday Dec 08, 2023
Navigating the complexities of life and work with efficiency takes time and effort. So much is coming at us, and "stuff" quickly piles up. Professional organizer Lindsey Hadegree shares the most crucial question you must ask to cut through the clutter and create order in your inner and outer world. Lindsey is a professional organizer trained and certified by Marie Kondo. Through her business, Get Organized Y'all®, she works with individuals, families, and companies to create their ideal life by organizing their spaces, systems, and finances. Lindsey also serves as the Executive Director of the Episcopal Community Foundation for Middle and North Georgia.
Learn more about Lindsey Here
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Friday Nov 17, 2023
24. God’s Creative Presence in Your Story with Morgan McCarver
Friday Nov 17, 2023
Friday Nov 17, 2023
Today's episode is a conversation with Morgan McCarver. Morgan is a multi-award-winning ceramic artist and author of the book, God the Artist. She is a business owner of Morgan McCarver Porcelain with studios in Asheville, NC and Spartanburg, SC. Her work has been featured in galleries and juried exhibitions across the United States including two solo exhibitions, “FemininiTEA” 2020 and “The Strength of a Wildflower” 2022.
Visit her website www.morganmccarver.com to purchase her work.
Find Morgan's book God the Artist here
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Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
23. How Systems and Cultures Perpetuate Imposter Syndrome with Nicky Pizana
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
This week Jeannette has a thought-provoking conversation with special guest, Nicky Pizana, around the pervasive issue of imposter syndrome within organizational systems and cultures, including the Church. Jeannette and Nicky delve into the ways in which these systems perpetuate feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, particularly among those who don't conform to traditional stereotypes and cultural norms. They emphasize the importance of recognizing the detrimental impact of imposter syndrome and how to slay it and rise to your full potential.
The conversation is a powerful call to action, encouraging leaders to take proactive steps to create inclusive, supportive environments where diverse voices and perspectives are not only valued but actively sought out.
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Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
22. When They Assume You’re Not The Leader Because You’re A Woman
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
Have you ever been mistaken as the assistant when actually you were the leader in charge? If you're a female leader, chances are good this has happened to you a time or two. This subtle form of gender bias is called role incredulity. It’s usually unintentional and seems harmless, but it creates obstacles for women and contributes to systemic gender inequity in organizations. Role incredulity even affects women in the Bible resulting in inaccuracies in translations. It's a real problem that we need to talk about.
In today’s episode, inspired by an article written by Amy Diehl and Leanne Dzubinski entitled “When People Assume You are not in Charge Because You’re a Women,” we explore women’s experiences with role incredulity and steps we can take to reduce it.
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Monday Aug 28, 2023
21. Train Your Brain For Abundance
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Today, Jeannette talks about a mindset shift that has helped her thrive through even the most challenging seasons. Shifting from scarcity to abundance can literally transform your life! Scarcity shows up every day in big and small ways, and at its core, scarcity is always a lack of faith. With a bit of intention and practice we can train our brains for abundance and experience more of the beautiful life we were created for.
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Thursday Jun 15, 2023
20. Thank You Rick Warren: Apology Accepted
Thursday Jun 15, 2023
Thursday Jun 15, 2023
Today we discuss a figure who has had a profound impact on millions of lives around the world - Pastor Rick Warren. A mega Church Pastor and bestselling author, Rick has been a prominent voice within the evangelical community. Renowned for his complementarian views on gender roles, he recently significantly shifted his beliefs, fully embracing egalitarian theology and ordaining several women pastors in his church.
This week Pastor Warren courageously acknowledged his previous beliefs publicly and offered a heartfelt apology to women marginalized or excluded by his teachings. In today's episode, Jeannette unpacks Pastor Rick's apology and why it speaks to the core obstacles to women's full equality and inclusion in the Church.
Read Pastor Rick's Apology Here
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Tuesday May 16, 2023
19. Embrace Your Ambition
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Research shows that in childhood girls are open and clear about their ambitions. But something changes as women age, and we tend to downplay or abandon our dreams, desires, and goals for achievement. Ambition is often regarded as a positive trait in men, but ambitious women are assumed to be pushy, prideful, or arrogant. But what if ambition is the fuel given by God to accomplish our purpose and calling?
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Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
18. Speak Up and Lead with Confidence with Kadi Cole
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Don't miss this insightful leadership conversation with Kadi Cole. Kadi Cole has spent the last twenty-five years serving in local church ministry as an Executive Director at one of America's largest and fastest growing multi-site churches, a Director at Leadership Network, and a founding member of the Women's Executive Pastor Network.
Kadi authored Sticky Note Leadership, her bestselling book, Developing Female Leaders, and her latest book, Find Your Leadership Voice in 90 Days. She speaks at leadership conferences around the world.
Kadi is helping move the needle forward on diversity, and equipping faith-based leaders to fulfill their calling. Our conversation is filled with practical leadership advice. We talk about how to increase your confidence as a leader, making hard leadership decisions, and how to speak up and advocate for yourself and your team.
Connect with Kadi at www.kadicole.com or on social media at @Kadicole
Download Kadi's Free Theological Cheat Sheet Here
Download Kadi's Free Assertiveness Cheat Sheet Here
Thursday Apr 13, 2023
17. Juggling Work, Family and Creating a Life You Love with Retha Nichole
Thursday Apr 13, 2023
Thursday Apr 13, 2023
In today’s episode Jeannette talks with Retha Nicole, a sought after speaker, trainer and executive coach with a unique perspective on various issues and challenges facing the professional woman. Once a single mom of two young boys, she understands how difficult it can be to juggle work and family responsibilities. Retha shares her Sunday Planning System and how it can add margin to every mom’s life. Through her story, she helps women move beyond their past to create a life they love. And spoiler alert. It starts with believing that you can have both! You can be a great mother and love your life at the same time.
Retha Nicole has years of executive professional experience. She received her Coaching certification through the International Coaching Federation. She has served on numerous community boards and leadership roles. Retha is the mother of three boys and a major college football fan.
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Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
16. Stop Believing You Have Imposter Syndrome
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
If you're a female leader, chances are you've heard of imposter syndrome. You've probably struggled with it yourself a time or two. We're told that high-achieving women suffer the ailment most, more than our male counterparts. For decades now, thousands of articles, books, and training initiatives have been developed to help women overcome this problem. But maybe imposter syndrome isn't a deficit in women but rather a deficit in our organizations. Maybe overcoming imposter syndrome is less about fixing women and more about fixing our organizations to be more inclusive.
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