Your story holds power. It’s a testament to resilience, courage, and hope. On The Your Story Matters Podcast, with Branon Dempsey, we explore the journey of healing from trauma, narcissistic abuse, and life’s most challenging moments. Through insightful conversations, inspiring stories, and expert guidance, we help you reclaim your voice, rediscover your worth, and embrace the truth: your story matters. This is your space to heal, grow, and find community. Whether you’re starting your journe ...
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Branon Dempsey Podcasts
Real talk. Not trends. A podcast for worship leaders and teams providing encouraging episodes for practical solutions to weekly ministry challenges; all to help inspire, create, and transform the leadership of worship. Join us on the journey. Subscribe Today! WorshipTeamTraining.com
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Send us a text Triggers Are Windows to Heal (the Wounds) You know the feeling: a sudden sound, a fleeting look, a familiar smell, or a particular phrase, and just like that, you’re transported back to that childhood bedroom, that kitchen table, or that hallway, completely frozen in time. So even though your body feels it, how do you handle triggers…
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Send us a text 🚨When the only thing more contagious than a virus… is passive aggression in your team. The divine mystery of how people who love Jesus still manage to totally annoy each other. From side-eye during soundcheck to “accidental” reply-all emails, this episode dives into the beautiful mess of church staff dynamics. LISTEN to Branon Dempse…
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🌠 Natasha Smith | Can You Just Sit with Me? | Ep. 007
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46:32Send us a text In this powerful episode, we sit down with Natasha Smith, author of "Can You Just Sit With Me?" to hear her honest story of loss, faith, and finding hope again. Natasha shares how grief reshaped her life—and how choosing to sit in the pain, rather than run from it, opened the door to healing. Through her personal journey, she offers …
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🎤🎙️ The Comparison Trap | Ep 4. Season 10
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49:03Send us a text Why do you think worship leaders and teams struggle so much with comparison? It’s easy to look at other churches, teams, or worship leaders and feel like we’re not measuring up. But comparison can rob us of joy, creativity, and even our calling. Join Branon Dempsey, Tony Guerrero & Rich Kirkpatrick for this deep discussion on the Com…
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🌠 Abbi Nye | Breaking the Silence (Finding Your Voice From The Trauma) | Ep. 006
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52:21Send us a text On this powerful episode of The Your Story Matters Podcast, Branon Dempsey sits down with special guest Abbi Nye to talk about breaking the silence and finding your voice after trauma. 📣 Abbi shares her courageous journey of speaking up, reclaiming her story, and walking through the healing process after religious and emotional abuse…
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☝️Handling Conflict, Creating Boundaries | Ep 3. Season 10
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50:25Send us a text 🤨Leading Worship is about leading people. This includes building up the church spiritually and building people relationally. But when it comes to complaints, confrontation, and criticism, how do you handle these situations to help you grow? 💪Join the conversation with Chariya Bissonette, Tony Guerrero, Rich Kirkpatrick, and Branon De…
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🟢 The Green Room: Confidence Over Criticism (After the Service)
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19:40Send us a text You know, that moment when you reflect on every detail—the transitions, the song choices, and how you led. So amid the criticisms, where does your confidence go? While some may wrestle with self-doubt, here’s the truth: Worship belongs to Him, and therefore, the success of the service does not rest on your shoulders. Support the show…
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Send us a text 🎙️Micro Matters: “Beyond Survival Mode" New Series: Part II: “Reclaiming Your Emotional Freedom” There’s a moment in healing that no one really talks about. It’s the moment you realize that the things you did to survive—those behaviors, coping mechanisms, and patterns that once kept you safe—are no longer necessary. 👍 Download & Subs…
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🎙️Micro Matters: “Reclaiming Your Emotional Freedom” (New Series)
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16:58Send us a text New Series: “Reclaiming Your Emotional Freedom” “The Power of Naming Anxiety” – How labeling your anxiety and the emotional overload helps regain control. Anxiety can surge into our lives—sometimes quietly, other times with overwhelming force. It can hijack our thoughts, dictate our reactions, and leave us feeling powerless. But what…
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📆 Did They Decline?? | The Struggle of the Uncommitted | Ep. 2 Season 10
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52:42Send us a text “Hi Tony, Chariya has DECLINED for Sunday Morning” Struggling with team members who are uncommitted, habitually late, absent, or dissatisfied? Tune into the latest episode of the Worship Team Training Podcast, where we tackle these common challenges head-on. Discover practical strategies to foster commitment, punctuality, and satisfa…
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🚷 Take a Break: Building Beyond Yourself | Ep 1. Season 10
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47:25Send us a text 🚷Take a Break: Building Beyond Yourself | Season 10 😱Welcome to Season 10, Episode! Worship leaders often pour everything into their ministry, but what happens when they’re asked—or told—to step back? Step Back to the Future: 🥳In this episode, we dive into the struggle of stepping away, the emotions that come with it, and how to find…
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Send us a text Life moves like the ocean. There are high tides and low tides, steady rhythms and sudden crashes. The space between the waves—the quiet, the stillness—matters just as much as the surges. Can you be comfortable in the uncomfortable? We live in a culture that glorifies the crest, the peak moments. The wins, the breakthroughs, the times…
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🎙️Micro Matters: Why They Feel Insulted By You
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10:03Send us a text Nothing frustrates a narcissist more than losing the power to control or influence you. Thrive on your energy—whether it’s love-bombing, stealing your thunder/attention, or even causing pain—because it fuels their need for validation and dominance, which they see as power. But….when you focus on your own healing and growth, you take …
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Send us a text Leading worship transcends the present moment; it’s about carrying forward the story of God’s goodness with every note and lyric. His works lay the foundation of my praise. As a worship leader, it's easy to get swept up in the rhythm of the next song, the upcoming service, and the approaching Sunday. However, this verse calls me back…
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🎙️Micro Matters: What Goes Around...Comes Around
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11:50Send us a text We’ve all been there—holding out hope that someone will finally change. Maybe this time, things will be different. Maybe this time, they’ll see the pain they’ve caused. But here’s the hard truth: when someone remains unchanged, their behavior doesn’t change either. And when we grant repeat offenders access to our lives, we’re often i…
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🎙️Micro Matters: There's No Place Like Boundaries for the Holidays
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19:53Send us a text The holidays. They can be overwhelming. Family dynamics often intensify this stress. Setting boundaries is essential but challenging. Here’s why—and how to protect your peace. Support the show Read Your Story Matters by Branon Dempsey Substack: https://branondempsey.substack.com?r=2f09z7 DM me over Threads, or Instagram: @branondemps…
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🟢 The Green Room: Finding Balance by the Spirit and Skill
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14:06Send us a text The Holy Spirit does not conform to our plans, the setlist, the click, or even our skills. He operates where He wills, often in surprising ways. Therefore, how do you stay in tune and create a balance so you don’t miss the moment? Support the show Join us on Threads, FB or Instagram: @worshipteamtraining Linktree https://linktr.ee/wo…
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🎙️Micro Matters: Narcissistic Affection Flooding (Beyond Love Bombing)
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15:08Send us a text How can a narcissist control many people at one time? They smile wide. They speaks in warm tones. It feels like trust. But beneath the surface, something darker is at work. Toxic narcissists use “Affection Flooding” as a strategy to create an environment (by a group of people,) where their power is protected. They flood this “special…
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🟢 The Green Room: The Making of a Worship Leader
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14:21Send us a text Let’s take a time out. Being a worship leader is more than a role. It’s a calling. It’s not about the songs you choose or the notes you sing. It’s about pointing people to the One who is enthroned on high. “Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high.” —Psalm 113:5 The making of a worship leader is built through …
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🎙️ Micro Matters: Reclaiming Yourself After Narcissistic Abuse
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10:06Send us a text Healing from narcissistic abuse is no small feat. It’s not just about moving on or patching up the hurt. It’s about rediscovering who you are beneath the pain. You may be shattered, but not broken. Support the show Read Your Story Matters by Branon Dempsey Substack: https://branondempsey.substack.com?r=2f09z7 DM me over Threads, or I…
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🟢 The Green Room: God Doesn’t Keep Score in Worship
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6:19Send us a text Worship isn’t about production. It’s not about hitting every note perfectly or delivering a seamless set. It’s about the condition of your heart. Yet, as worship leaders, it’s easy to feel the pressure; but, God doesn’t keep score in worship. NEW WTT Site Coming! Follow from our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/worshipteamtraining Support…
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🟢 The Green Room: The Freedom to Worship and Trust
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21:57Send us a text Branon shares the story of his recent tragedy and journey of healing. Recovery is hard. It’s slow and often frustrating. But it’s in this process that God works on us. He takes what’s broken and begins to heal it. For worship leaders, this process is powerful. When we recover from hardship, we learn to trust God more deeply. We see H…
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🎙️ Micro Matters: Oh Deer! Healing From Trauma: A Daily Choice
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16:50Send us a text Getting Hit By A Deer Never Felt So Good - My Unwanted Tragedy and Relation with Trauma. Trauma is not a choice. But healing is a choice. It’s choosing not to let the event define you. It’s waking up each day and saying, “Today: I’ll make one more choice. I'll take one more step.” Support the show Read Your Story Matters by Branon De…
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Send us a text ⏱️Life has a way of throwing us into unexpected wreckage. Recently, I experienced this firsthand through a serious accident. It reminded me how little control we sometimes have—and how much strength it takes to navigate what follows. This week on Micro Matters, we’re talking about those moments when life with trauma feels broken beyo…
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🌠 Theo Boyd | “Down In The Dirt of Grief” Ep. 005
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40:58Send us a text Down In The Dirt of Grief — Join Your Story Matters as Branon Dempsey sits down with Theo Boyd to explore the journey of grief and healing. 🌱 “Dirt is where it all starts, and one day, where it all will end.” Theo dives deep into the roots of our emotions, showing how true healing begins when we return to the beginning and allow ours…
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🎙️Micro Matters - Why Narcissists Can't Live in the Truth
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13:25Send us a text Support the show Read Your Story Matters by Branon Dempsey Substack: https://branondempsey.substack.com?r=2f09z7 DM me over Threads, or Instagram: @branondempsey Linktree: https://linktr.ee/BranonDempsey Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@branondempsey. Copyright 2025 Your Story Matters, Branon Dempsey | WTT, Inc.…
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🎙️ Micro Matters | "Hi I'm Branon" (My Story)
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6:38Send us a text Welcome to our first edition of Micro Matters! A series of short podcast episodes based on conversations about healing from abuse and narcissism. In this snippet I share part of my story, hope it brings you encouragement today.Welcome to the first edition of Micro Matters! In this series of brief podcast episodes, we explore meaningf…
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🌠 Branon Dempsey | “The Crave of Control [of a Narcissist]” Ep. 004
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21:58Send us a text A narcissist craves control, which drives their relentless pursuit of superiority. What can you do to starve their attention to save yourself? 🎧 Stream Now: Episode 004 “The Crave of Control [of a Narcissist]” LINK IN BIO / 📲linktr.ee/BranonDempsey 📻 iTUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-your-story-matters-podcast-with-br…
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🌠 Courtney Bandeko & Ben Koppin | "Pastor's Kid” (Identity and Betrayal) Ep. 003
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37:10Send us a text 📛 Dealing with spiritual abuse and religious hypocrisy is painful enough, especially when working through multiple layers of betrayal. Survivors find it challenging to maintain their faith, but it's important to be reminded that there is still hope and that they are loved. 👉 Ben Koppin & Courtney Bandeko | "Pastor's Kid” WATCH VIDEO:…
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🌠 Nick Pollard | "The People Displeaser” Ep. 002
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52:17Send us a text 🫠 Are you tired of pleasing people? Learn how to break free from demanding, controlling and yes, narcissistic people who are nothing but a constant drain. Learn how to take back control and what you can do about it. 👉 Join us for the next Your Story Matters Podcast with Special Guest Nick Pollard - The People Displeaser. Support the …
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🌠 Mary DeMuth | "An Untold Story Doesn't Heal" 💪 Ep. 001
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32:31Send us a text Telling your story involves healing for your own sake and to let others know that they are not alone. 📣 Exciting news! The premiere of the first episode of Season One of "The Your Story Matters Podcast" with host @branondempsey is now available. Our special guest for this episode is the inspiring author, speaker, and survivor @maryde…
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🤡 How Spiritual Abuse Ruins Worship | Michael Card | Podcast Season 9
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30:26Send us a text 🛐 What happens when narcissistic leaders make it a spiritually bad place to worship? It's no worship because it goes to the pride and control of man. Join us for this amazing season 2 finale episode with special guest Bible teacher and music artist Michael Card. Download this Special Podcast Season 2 Finale 🤡 How Spiritual Abuse Ruin…
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🥸What's Your Real? Worship EKG | Podcast Season 9
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33:49Send us a text 🕥 Why do we do it? Leading worship is not about building a brand, building a ministry, or even building the church. Leading worship is about building people: speaking the language of the people, building honesty, and nurturing relationships. Having a heart of worship is about understanding your WHY and knowing your real. 🎧Listen to T…
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👻 How Do You Know It's Spiritual Abuse? | Branon Dempsey & Gary Durbin | Podcast Season 8
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36:18Send us a text Was it just something said, was it something someone did, or was it something more spiritually? In church, we can shrug off talk or overlook behaviors, but what happens when it becomes abusive? How do you know when things have gone too far? 👺 Don't miss this Special Edition Podcast as @GaryDurbin interviews @BranonDempsey. 🎧Listen to…
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🚧 Worship Ministry Catalyst, Guest Branon Dempsey | Podcast Season 9
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33:21Send us a text Worship Ministry Catalyst Podcast / Special Guest Branon Dempsey ➡️ This interview was taken from Worship Ministry Catalyst, hosts David Linder and Joe Brookhouse. We talked about lessons from Covid and the essentials of worship. Even since 2021, we have seen many progressions in how we approach and lead worship here in 2023. Amid se…
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Spiritual Abuse: Worship Leaders, let’s talk.
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13:17Send us a text How are we leading people in worship who suffer from abuse, namely, spiritual? Churches should be places of sanctuary and refuge, but for many, they can become sites of spiritual abuse. Spiritual abuse is a severe problem primarily hidden, with those in authority using their position to manipulate, control, and even harm those within…
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(Mis)Using Tracks Part I | Podcast Season 9
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41:50Send us a text Worship Under the Guide of Production or the Holy Spirit? Have we made an idol of production? We say "no," but for years, production appears to have more value and that is sought after by many churches for their worship services. What's seems to be missing is an emphasis on the Holy Spirit. AI is great, but are we allowing too much f…
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Hillsong Cancel? (Part 2) | Podcast Season 8
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40:38Send us a text How do you cancel a culture without canceling the people? Abuse of power and corruption ruins our churches, but its effects on people cut deep. To maintain justice and mercy is a culture that God sets for us to follow, so how do we do in society when spiritual abuse runs rampid? Join @braondempsey @chariyadacarabissonette @tonyguerre…
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The Hillsong Assessment (Part 1) | Podcast Season 8
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35:33Send us a text What if Carl Lentz came to your church? The Hillsong Documentary is out! Some are appalled, some are not concerned, and others may not know anything about it. Regardless, pride, power, and abuse are major disruptions, so what can we learn from them? Join @braondempsey @tonyguerreroquintet @swiftandre @rkweblog The Hillsong Assessment…
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The Church Celebrity Crisis | Podcast Season 8
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41:20Send us a text Culture is not chasing the church; the church is chasing the culture. Where have we failed? This may explain why many churches hire and stage a model celebrity pastor, a worship leader star, and a Grammy-sounding team to draw attendance numbers. But is this truly the identity of the Church Jesus established? Why can't we be ourselves…
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Throwback Thursday! "Character Over Talent" Special Guest Zoro the Drummer and Tim Timmons | Podcast Season 7
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53:19Send us a text Is it better to have talent over character, or character over talent? Join us for this special Throwback Thursday with Zoro the Drummer, Tim Timmons, Tony Guerrero, and Branon Dempsey to hear why character is fundamentally important for you and your team. Throwback Thursday | Podcast Season 8 Download: "Character Over Talent" Special…
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Send us a text Is it ok to copy worship? Imitation is the highest form of flattery but are we cheating ourselves out of deeper expressions because we fail to be original? The WTT Podcast Crew is back together again with new faces! Copy Cat Worship [Podcast Season 8, All New Episode] ⏬Download by Audio Watch by Video: https://youtu.be/tUh8Bm4JviE Su…
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#ThrowbackThursday | Casey Corum | Singing Songs from the Vineyard of the Soul
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42:22Send us a text Are you singing songs of your church or just singing songs in your church? Join us for this #ThrowbackThursday podcast with Casey Corum of #VineyardWorship "Vineyard Soul -- Generous God" Singing Songs from the Vineyard of the Soul [Podcast Season 7] ⏬Download & Watch by Video / Listen by Audio Support the show Join us on Threads, FB…
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💫 Ian Morgan Cron | “Pastor Jekyll or Mr. Hyde" | Podcast Season 7
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49:26Send us a text Is you pastor a Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde - or are they both? There is a reason why behaviors matter. What may seem as a series of impulsivity, micro-managing, gaslighting and narcism, are really tale-tale signs of the real person you are working with. Let’s pull back the curtain with Ian Morgan Chron as we learn more about why behavior…
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Send us a text Support the show Join us on Threads, FB or Instagram: @worshipteamtraining Linktree https://linktr.ee/worshipteamtraining Free Book Download: www.worshipteamtraining.com/enews Copyright 2025 Worship Team Training, Inc.By Worship Team Training® Podcast
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Connected or Disconnected Worship Leading? | Podcast Season 7
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49:05Send us a text Are you looking to deepen your connection to God and leading worship like never before? Download this special episode for a fresh perspective on how to approach worship in a way that encourages authenticity and vulnerability with this week’s guest: Terron Brooks (worship Leader, actor, singer) ⏬Download and Watch [Season 7] @terronbr…
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😡 Pride Doesn't Lead Worship, The Holy Spirit Does| Podcast Season 7
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30:35Send us a text Join us for this Special Throwback Thursday as we hear from Marc James of Vineyard Worship to discuss how pride, ego and controlling personalities can break a ministry and how empathy, kindness and mercy can make a ministry. ⏬Download and Watch [Season 7] @marcjamestagram Pride Doesn't Lead Worship, The Holy Spirit Does 🎧 LINK IN BIO…
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Send us a text The most underrated age for worship leaders is between 40 and 60 - this means you are not done yet! Young or old, your perspective on life and commitment to ministry expresses it’s value in more ways your credit for. @BranonDempsey #ConfessionsOfAWorshipLeader #BeforeTheWorshipBegins #WorshipLeaders Support the show Join us on Thread…
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🏆 Top #1 Episode of 2022 | Brandon Bee “Three Things Guitar Players Are Missing” [Season 6]
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30:18Send us a text 🎸Three Things Guitar Players Are Missing Many guitarists think that just picking up the guitar and jamming through the worship set is enough. Well it isn't. Are you confident in creating solos that stick, developing the right tone for each song, and creating textures to help the band? How you develop your skill matters. Learn what ar…
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🏆 Top #2 Episode of 2022 | Cynthia Cullen #2 “See Sing See [Season 6]
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22:43Send us a text Cynthia Cullen (Vocals) | See What You Sing / Sing What You See - Have you given thought to the words that you sing? How we place our notes/words makes a HUGE difference in supporting the melody. Let's work out those lazy habits and get your vocals in shape with Worship Leader / Vocalist Cynthia Cullen! PODCAST VIDEO LINK TO THIS EPI…
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