On this episode of “Cultivating Second Chair Leaders,” we hear part 2 of the full conversation of the KINDLE Founders, which took place in February 2025. Rev. Dean Nadasdy, a board member, facilitates a discussion with Bill Karpenko, Linda Olsen, Lyle Heggemeier, Sue Steege, Les Stroh and Steve Arnold where they discuss why they said yes, values of the organization, how KINDLE has changed in 25 years, hopes for the future and more! 

Go to www.kindleservantleaders.org  and to learn more about the organization and support our work!

Share this episode with a friend and leave us a review.

Connect with us!
Instagram: @emilyphoenix or @kindle_social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KINDLEServantLeaders

If you have a question to ask or story to share about one of this season’s topics, we would love to hear from you. Send an email to [email protected] and we will share it along the way!

Download episode discussion guides at: https://www.kindleservantleaders.org/podcast/

On this episode of “Cultivating Second Chair Leaders,” we hear part 1 of the full conversation of the KINDLE Founders, which took place in February 2025. Rev. Dean Nadasdy, a board member, facilitates a discussion with Bill Karpenko, Linda Olsen, Lyle Heggemeier, Sue Steege, Les Stroh and Steve Arnold where they discuss why they said yes, values of the organization, how KINDLE has changed in 25 years, hopes for the future and more! 

Go to www.kindleservantleaders.org  and to learn more about the organization and support our work!

Share this episode with a friend and leave us a review.

Connect with us!
Instagram: @emilyphoenix or @kindle_social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KINDLEServantLeaders

If you have a question to ask or story to share about one of this season’s topics, we would love to hear from you. Send an email to [email protected] and we will share it along the way!

Download episode discussion guides at: https://www.kindleservantleaders.org/podcast/

On this episode of “Cultivating Second Chair Leaders,” we chat with 2nd chair ministry leader, Hannah Lang about how she viewed leadership in her early years of ministry and what she has learned since about what it means to be a Christ-like servant leader. We also discuss tools and strategies on building community and preventing burnout in those first few years and the comfort we can find in knowing this is God’s church. 

The Founders' moment from today's episode comes from Lyle Heggemeier, who lives in Des Moines, Iowa with his wife Debbie. In retirement, Lyle served KINDLE faithfully and also works at a local hardware store. 

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

Messiah St. Charles kids podcast: https://normalgoesalongway.com/
The Chosen
The Six Types of Working Genius
The Hopeful Neighborhood Project
KINDLE Strands Practices and Outcomes

Check out Season 2 Episode 2 Discussion Guide for a growth plan template. 

Go to www.kindleservantleaders.org  and to learn more about the organization and support our work!

Share this episode with a friend and leave us a review.

Connect with us!
Instagram: @emilyphoenix or @kindle_social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KINDLEServantLeaders

If you have a question to ask or story to share about one of this season’s topics, we would love to hear from you. Send an email to [email protected] and we will share it along the way!

Download episode discussion guides at: https://www.kindleservantleaders.org/podcast/

On this episode of “Cultivating Second Chair Leaders,” we take a closer look at the role of a second chair ministry leader through the eyes of a first chair leader.  Our guest, Dean Nadasdy shares how first chair pastors are positively impacted by team ministry with second chair leaders. We also hear from pastors, Jim Haack and Leon Jameson, who share how their own experience in the second chair prepared them for ministry as pastors and in some cases, in the first chair now. 
 
The Founders' moment from today's episode comes from Bill Karpenko. Bill lives in Bloomington, MN with his wife, Michelle, and in retirement continues to faithfully serve KINDLE as part of the board of directors.

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

• A list of books written by Rev. Dr. Dean Nadasdy, found on GoodReads
• Go to www.kindleservantleaders.org  and to learn more about the organization and support our work!
• Share this episode with a friend and leave us a review.

Connect with us!
Instagram: @emilyphoenix or @kindle_social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KINDLEServantLeaders

If you have a question to ask or story to share about one of this season’s topics, we would love to hear from you. Send an email to [email protected] and we will share it along the way!

Download episode discussion guides at: https://www.kindleservantleaders.org/podcast/

On this episode of “Cultivating Second Chair Leaders,” we listen in on a dialogue between KINDLE Next Callings initiative dean, Paul Wendt and Program and Communications director, Emily Phoenix, as they talk about how baptismal identity and calling are lifelong pursuits and that every individual has a purpose beyond retirement to expand God’s Kingdom as a Christ-like servant leader. 

The Founders' moment from today's episode comes from Steve Arnold. Steve lives in Forest Lake, MN and currently serves as a chaplain.

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

• Learn more about Next Callings and check out the slides in a video format of the Q&A.
• Go to www.kindleservantleaders.org  and to learn more about the organization and support our work!
• Share this episode with a friend and leave us a review.

Connect with us!
Instagram: @emilyphoenix or @kindle_social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KINDLEServantLeaders

If you have a question to ask or story to share about one of this season’s topics, we would love to hear from you. Send an email to [email protected] and we will share it along the way!

Download episode discussion guides at: https://www.kindleservantleaders.org/podcast/

On this episode of “Cultivating Second Chair Leaders,” we get an inside look at how multiplying disciples can play out in a relationship and congregation over several years. We sit down with 2nd chair ministry leaders (and friends) Jason Schleicher and Cameron Heiliger as they discuss their first encounter with KINDLE’s Christ-like model of discipleship, what shaped their relationship and ministry, while they served together in a congregation, and how their callings have changed, but their purpose to disciple others, remains the same.

The Founders' moment from today's episode comes from Sue Steege. Sue lives in Amherst, New York, and serves as Director of Transformation Ministries at First Trinity Lutheran Church in Tonawanda, NY.

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

• “Good Lord! A Not So Shocking Look at the Goodness of God” by Jason Schleicher
• “Cultivating the Faith of Students” – KINDLE Resource for use with high schoolers. 
• Go to www.kindleservantleaders.org  and to learn more about the organization and support our work!
• Share this episode with a friend and leave us a review.

Connect with us!
Instagram: @emilyphoenix or @kindle_social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KINDLEServantLeaders

If you have a question to ask or story to share about one of this season’s topics, we would love to hear from you. Send an email to [email protected] and we will share it along the way!

Download episode discussion guides at: https://www.kindleservantleaders.org/podcast/

On this episode of “Cultivating Second Chair Leaders,” we take a walk down memory lane, with the first class of KINDLE participants from 2002, We hear how their experience in developing as Christ-like servant leaders has continued to be a foundational part of their lives today. Our guests today include Cindy Twillman, Dave Rueter, Deb Hartje, Jill Hasstedt and Derek Broten. 

The Founders' moment from today's episode comes from Les Stroh.  

Les and his wife, Deborah, are retired and live in Arizona. Les formerly served both on KINDLE’s board of directors and as the Executive Director.   

Resources mentioned in today's episode: 

•  Learn more about mentioned Christ-like Servant Leaders, Alan Gunderman, Shar Kleinedler, and Linda Olsen who are all KINDLE Living Legacies.  
• Go to www.kindleservantleaders.org to learn more about the organization and support our work! 
• Share this episode with a friend and leave us a review. 

Connect with us!
Instagram: @emilyphoenix or @kindle_social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KINDLEServantLeaders

If you have a question to ask or story to share about one of this season’s topics, we would love to hear from you. Send an email to [email protected] and we will share it along the way!

Download episode discussion guides at: https://www.kindleservantleaders.org/podcast/

On this episode of “Cultivating Second Chair Leaders,” we will take a closer look at how celebrating baptismal identity through worship has shaped the KINDLE experience and its value when we are serving as Christ like servant leaders in our own settings. Our guest today is Joel Symmank, who has served for many years as KINDLE’s chaplain in addition to his primary ministry call, serving in a congregation. 

The Founders' moments from today's episode come from Steve Arnold and Bill Karpenko. 

Steve lives in Forest Lake, MN and currently serves as a chaplain. Bill lives in Bloomington, MN with his wife, Michelle, and in retirement continues to faithfully serve KINDLE as part of the board of directors. 

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

• Clifton Strengths Assessment 
• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day: A 40 Day Journey with the Daily Office
• Go to www.kindleservantleaders.org to learn more about the organization and support our work!
• Share this episode with a friend and leave us a review. 

Connect with us!
Instagram: @emilyphoenix or @kindle_social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KINDLEServantLeaders

If you have a question to ask or story to share about one of this season’s topics, we would love to hear from you. Send an email to [email protected] and we will share it along the way!

Download episode discussion guides at: https://www.kindleservantleaders.org/podcast/

In Season 5 of ‘Cultivating Second Chair Leaders,’ we will celebrate the strengths of Christ-like servant leaders in the 2nd chair as we reflect on how baptismal identity, relationships, and learning in community have positively impacted God’s call for us to help expand His kingdom.  

 As KINDLE celebrates 25 years, we also look back at the events and experiences that have cultivated, encouraged and spurred us, as an organization to take leaps of faith and steps forward to serve a wider audience of Christ-like servant leaders.   
When we take the time to celebrate, we give glory to God for all his goodness and faithfulness and can keep are eyes on Him as we move forward into the next chapter of fostering and multiplying Christ-like servant leaders.  

This is your time to connect in community, find direction, and find freedom to focus on your identity as a Christ-like servant leader in the second chair. Welcome to “Cultivating Second Chair Leaders” Season 5.

Season 5 launches on Tuesday, April 22! We look forward to connecting with you then!
 

Connect with us!
Instagram: @emilyphoenix or @kindle_social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KINDLEServantLeaders

If you have a question to ask or story to share about one of this season’s topics, we would love to hear from you. Send an email to [email protected] and we will share it along the way!

Download episode discussion guides at: https://www.kindleservantleaders.org/podcast/

On this episode of “Cultivating Second Chair Leaders,” we take a look back at all of Season 4 episodes, guests and share reflections and learnings from the insight on 2nd chair leadership as well as the Cultivating group practices. Our guest, Katy Crawford (@katycraw11) helps us reflect on various quotes and responds to questions which help all of us to grow as Christ-like servant leaders. Listen until the end and learn how you will have the opportunity to enter to win a free journey guide! 

Resources mentioned in today’s episode: 

• “Life Together, The Classic Exploration of Christian Community” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 1954. 
• Lutheran Family Service - https://lutheranfamilyservice.org/
• Learn more about Christ-like Servant Leader Journey Guides
• Go to www.kindleservantleaders.org  and to learn more about the organization and support our work!
• Share this episode with a friend! 
•  Leave us a review, contact Emily and get your free Christ-like Servant Leader Journey Guide! 

Connect with us!
Instagram: @emilyphoenix or @kindle_social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KINDLEServantLeaders

If you have a question to ask or story to share about one of this season’s topics, we would love to hear from you. Send an email to [email protected] and we will share it along the way!

Download episode discussion guides at: https://www.kindleservantleaders.org/podcast/