Leaders Who Create

Leaders Who Create Growth: In this episode Natalie Babbitt Taylor joins Jason Squires for a conversation about what it really takes to grow as a creative over the long haul. From performing with Voices of Liberty at Disneyland to leading the next generation of artists at Village Christian School, Natalie shares how discipline, rest, consistency, and curiosity have shaped her journey. Together they explore the rhythms that sustain creativity, the difference between good and great in professional spaces, and what healthy ambition actually looks like in a world obsessed with hustle and visibility. Natalie also shares practical vocal tips for surviving allergy season, stories from her experience performing at the highest level, and of course, her go-to Disney park snack. This episode is for creatives, leaders, educators, and anyone trying to grow without losing themselves in the process. Learn more and connect with Natalie at https://www.nataliebabbitttaylor.com/.

Leaders Who Create Growth: Join Jason Squires as he sits down with Chad Reisser to explore what it really means to grow, not just in skill, but in identity. From film to music to the local church, Chad has spent years creating across different spaces always looking for what is next. In this conversation, we talk about what’s kept him from plateauing, the moment he realized talent alone wasn’t enough, and the internal shifts that shaped his journey. Chad shares both the mindset and the practical steps that help creatives keep moving forward. As always, we keep it human by talking about creative rhythms, writing days, and the simple things that fuel the process. If you’re a creative looking to grow, get unstuck, or build something that lasts, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.

After a powerful stretch of conversations, we’re taking a step back to connect the dots. From building authentic community, to learning how to collaborate, to embracing the power of your story, and ultimately creating opportunity for others: there’s a thread that ties it all together: people.

In this episode, join Jason Squires as he reflects on the biggest takeaways from recent guests and unpack a simple but challenging idea: nothing meaningful is built alone.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, isolated, or unsure where to start, this conversation will remind you that it doesn’t take something big to begin, it just takes intention.

Start small. Start relational. Start with a table.

What if creating isn’t about building something new—but solving a problem you can’t ignore? In this episode, Jason Squires sits down with Greg Mansur, lead pastor of Adventure Church, to talk about what it really looks like to create opportunity that serves people, not just builds platforms. From planting a church in Yuba City, CA to launching spaces that meet real needs in the community, Greg shares how identifying a problem can become the catalyst for meaningful impact. We dive into the gap between having ideas and actually bringing them to life, and what it takes to move from “this could help” to “this now exists.” We also talk honestly about success, how to resist the pull of measuring attendance and instead focus on transformation as well as why true growth happens when what you build starts multiplying through others. If you’re a leader, creator, or someone who feels the tension between vision and execution, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about what you’re building and who it’s really for.

Leaders Who Create Opportunity: In this episode of Leaders Who Create, Jason Squires sits down with Jonathan Cashman, co-owner of Identity Coffee, to talk about how intentional environments create meaningful opportunity. Drawing from his background in ministry, Jonathan shares how that foundation shaped the way he builds spaces, not just for transactions, but for transformation. From the layout of a room to the posture of a barista, every detail matters. Jonathan unpacks the small, often overlooked choices that help people slow down, stay longer, and open up. He also shares how he trains his team to understand that they’re not just serving coffee, they’re creating moments that people carry with them long after they leave. This conversation dives into the power of noticing what others miss, building culture from the ground up, and how everyday interactions can quietly turn into life-giving relationships.

Because in the end, people might come for the coffee…

but they come back for how they felt.

Learn more about Identity Coffee at https://www.identitycoffee.com/.

Leaders Who Create Opportunity: In this episode of Leaders Who Create, host Jason Squires sits down with Chris Sonksen, founder of Church Boom, to talk about what it really means to create opportunity in places that feel like they’re running out of hope. Chris shares the moment that broke his heart enough to take action and how that burden grew into a movement helping churches rediscover health, purpose, and direction. Together, they unpack what happens when he steps into a struggling church, how to discern whether the real issue is leadership, systems, or culture, and why so many churches miss the early warning signs of decline. You’ll also hear how Church Boom’s rescue initiative is giving churches a second chance and what practical first step any discouraged pastor can take today to begin moving toward health again. If you’ve ever felt the weight of leading something that isn’t working, this conversation will remind you: health is still possible, and it might be closer than you think. Plus… a very important church potluck question you won’t want to miss. Find out more at https://www.churchboom.org/

Leaders Who Create Opportunity: On this episode of Leaders Who Create, Jason Squires sits down with Ashley Thomas of Hope Street Ministries in Milwaukee, WI  to explore how leaders turn challenges into opportunities for others. Ashley shares how her own story, marked by both challenge and resilience, has shaped her leadership and the way she builds community at Hope Street. From helping people who arrive carrying pain and setbacks, to balancing compassion with accountability, she reveals the difference between giving temporary help and creating a real pathway for transformation. This conversation is full of insight for anyone wanting to understand how intentional leadership can empower people to rise, rebuild, and thrive.

Leaders Who Create From Story: We often think leadership is about skills, but what if it’s really about story? In this episode join Jason Squires as he sits down with Matt McCoy, President of Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) and founder of Loop Community. Matt shares how life experiences, both good and hard, become the tools we use to lead others well. From lessons learned in ministry to leading at a global level, Matt unpacks how vulnerability, self-awareness, and perspective shape not just how we lead but who we become as leaders. If you’ve ever wondered whether your past disqualifies you, this conversation will challenge that belief and show you how your story might be your greatest strength.

Leaders Who Create From Story: Heather Evans joins Jason Squires to talk about the powerful role music plays in storytelling for television and film. Heather is a multi–award-winning singer-songwriter whose music has been featured on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, FOX, MTV, and ABC. Heather shares how songwriters craft music to support the emotional arc of a scene, what it really takes to get songs placed on TV, and the balance between creativity and strategy in the world of sync licensing.

If you’re a songwriter, creative, or storyteller, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how music helps bring stories to life. Connect with Heather at https://www.heatherevansmusic.com/.

Leaders Who Create from Story: Join Jason Squires as he sits down with Toby Walters, founder of ChurchGear, to talk about how an ordinary ministry challenge grew into a mission that’s helping churches across the country. Toby shares the story behind ChurchGear, how his ministry journey shaped the company’s purpose, and why the message behind the business eventually became a book called Sacred Spaces. Together they explore stewardship, leadership, and how ordinary stories can create extraordinary impact. If you’ve ever wondered whether your story really matters, this conversation will encourage you to see your potential.