Good Leader Podcast

Listen on your way to Focus, Wildfires, or New Wine. How do you know when it's time to let go of the ministry you've built?In this special live episode from Summit 2026, Will Van Der Hart speaks with Ariana Walker, founder of Mercy UK, about leadership, calling, and the courage to step aside.Ariana shares the story behind Mercy UK, lessons from over 20 years of leadership, and why God led her to begin preparing for succession long before she stepped down.If you're leading a church, business or ministry—or simply wondering how to lead well without burning out—this conversation offers practical wisdom rooted in faith.

Will Van Der Hart is joined live in Summit 2026 in Nottingham by John and Debbie Wright to explore what it means to lead with humility, courage and complete dependence on God.
Drawing on decades of leadership in the Vineyard movement, John and Debbie reflect on their journey from planting churches to leading nationally and now serving the global Vineyard family. They share honest stories of fear, prophetic guidance, marriage in ministry, building healthy teams and why sustainable leadership begins with knowing your identity in Christ rather than your performance.
Whether you're leading a church, team or organisation, this conversation offers practical wisdom on trusting God's call, embracing your limitations and creating cultures where others can flourish.

Recorded live at Summit 2026, Will Van Der Hart sat down with church leader and pastor Jonny Hughes for a deeply honest conversation about calling, friendship, leadership and the unexpected ways God shapes our lives.Johnny reflects on his surprising journey into ministry, despite once vowing he would never follow in his father's footsteps. Together they explore the tension between ambition and surrender, the importance of deep friendships, the role of play and joy in preventing burnout, and why many leaders are quietly struggling with isolation.

What does it look like to lead with genuine compassion without burning out?Recorded live at Summit 2026, Will Van Der Hart speaks with Justin Dowds from Compassion UK about poverty, responsibility, emotional resilience and the role of the local church in transforming communities. Justin shares powerful stories from Haiti, Uganda and beyond — including the moment God changed his life forever through one child living in extreme poverty.

In this episode of The Good Leader Podcast, presented by Will Van Der Hart and Will James, we sit down with Kitty Kay Shuttleworth—who has spent 22 years serving the global Alpha movement—to explore what it really takes to lead for the long haul.From a simple prompting at 23 to shaping leadership conversations on a global stage, Kitty reflects on the quiet foundations that have carried her: a daily rhythm of prayer, deep friendships, self-awareness, and the courage to lead without ego.This is a conversation about vision that evolves, leadership that is shared, and the kind of inner life that keeps you steady when the pressure rises.If you want to build something that lasts, this episode is for you.