The Unfair Advantage

In this episode of the Unfair Advantage, we’re hearing from Heiden Ratner—former Division I basketball player turned church planter in Las Vegas, Nevada. Heiden shares his powerful journey from chasing purpose on the basketball court to finding deeper fulfillment through faith in Jesus. With honesty and wisdom, he unpacks what it means to lead a church you actually like, the importance of team alignment over talent, and how clarity in leadership creates healthy culture. Whether you’re planting a church or leading a ministry team, this conversation is packed with encouragement, practical tools, and reminders that God is able to do more than we could ask or imagine.

Welcome to Episode 036 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, host David Hibiske sits down with church planter Raymond Hudson to discuss his journey of planting a church in Berkeley, California—one of the most challenging places to reach with the gospel. Raymond shares how his early experiences in church planting shaped his calling, the challenges of launching during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of loving and serving a city rather than trying to "fix" it. He also offers key insights on leadership development, team building, and financial sustainability for church planters. His story is a powerful testament to faith, adaptability, and the impact of a deeply embedded, service-oriented church.

Welcome to Episode 035 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage Podcast, host David Hibiske welcomes back Sean Sears, a seasoned church planter from New England. Sean shares his powerful journey of balancing ministry with family life, including the lessons he learned after nearly losing his marriage during the early years of church planting. He offers profound insights into finding identity in Christ rather than ministry success, setting boundaries to prioritize family, and building healthy leadership that reflects God’s love. This honest and vulnerable conversation is packed with wisdom for planters navigating the challenges of ministry, family, and personal growth.

Welcome to Episode 034 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, David Hibiske dives into three critical societal and church leadership conversations shaping the landscape in 2025. He unpacks the "Negative World Concept," the breakdown of the home and family, and the return to prayer and revival stirrings. This episode is a must-listen for church planters and leaders eager to navigate current challenges and seize opportunities for impactful ministry.

Welcome to Episode 033 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske.

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, Sean welcomes Tyler Scott (CPC in Danville, CA), James Grogan (East Lake in Southern California), and Danny Strange (Three Crosses, Northern California) to explore the steps toward becoming a multiplying church. The discussion emphasizes the "crawl, walk, run" approach to church planting, sharing practical insights from each leader's experience. From embracing self-awareness and addressing organizational challenges to cultivating outward-focused leadership and partnerships, this episode is packed with actionable strategies for pastors and church leaders eager to impact their communities and beyond.

Welcome to Episode 032 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with today’s guest host, Sean Morgan!

Only four weeks post-launch, Jake and Kaelia open up about the joys and challenges of planting Create Church in an urban setting of San Diego. They share personal stories of faith, resilience, and the community that has rallied around them during both triumphant and painful times. This conversation covers the practicalities of church planting, lessons in leadership, and the importance of community support, making it an insightful listen for church planters and leaders alike.

Welcome to Episode 031 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with today’s guest host, Sean Morgan!

In this episode, we explore the power of intentional church calendar planning to build momentum and maximize impact in your ministry. Your church calendar can be one of your greatest assets, but too often, we miss out on growth opportunities by failing to plan ahead or aligning our teams with our strategy.

Welcome to Episode 030 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske.

Don’t underestimate the power of a two-year-old church. Today’s conversation with Lenny Barber, Pastor and planter of The House Church in Ferguson, MO, reminds us of the importance of pastors’ spiritual health and purity of motives in planting. Discover how Pastor Lenny continues to build up a church with multicultural intentionality to welcome people into a space that reflects the diversity of their city.

Welcome to Episode 029 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske.

“We’re not after control…we’re after a common goal.” In today’s episode, David Hibiske guides us through eight steps of aligning your ministry after you’ve launched. It’s one thing to be busy, and it can be an entirely different thing to be effective. We’re reminded in today’s episode that we’re not after busyness, but we’re after traction in our mission. Listen in for a ton of practical questions to ask each step of the way and helpful tools to get your ministry in alignment after you’ve launched.

Welcome to Episode 028 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske.

“If you feel like you have to choose, choose your family.” Coaching plays a crucial role in the success of your leadership. Today, we’re hearing from Ben Pilgreen and Ernest Smith as they discuss the ways coaching impacted more than the health of their churches…it has contributed to the health of their families.

Welcome to Episode 027 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske.