Helping your church navigate the biggest communication shift in 500 years. Hosted by Brady Shearer and Alexander Mills.
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Learn how to use online marketing strategies to grow your internet presence and reach more people. The Pro Church Marketing Podcast is a podcast that brings you the latest in Church marketing and Non-Profit growth strategies. Join me as I interview Church marketing experts and share actionable tips for growing your organization. The Pro Church Marketing Podcast is designed to equip Non-Profits and Church leaders to use their website, email, social media, and online marketing to reach more pe ...
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Politics and Religion. We’re not supposed to talk about that, right? Wrong! We only say that nowadays because the loudest, most extreme voices have taken over the whole conversation. Well, we‘re taking some of that space back! If you’re dying for some dialogue instead of all the yelling; if you know it’s okay to have differences without having to hate each other; if you believe politics and religion are too important to let ”the screamers” drown out the rest of us and would love some engagin ...
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If I ran your church’s social media, this is the calendar I’d use. It works across platforms, adapts to your time, and scales with your team. ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 8:50 - TUE & THUR: Sermon Clip #1 & #2 17:33 - MON: Quote Post 19:20 - WED: Carousel & Text Thread 23:00 - FRI: YouT…
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Standing with Ukraine: Alexander Vindman on U.S. Foreign Policy, Putin’s Threat, and the Folly of Trumpism
1:17:26
1:17:26
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1:17:26In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Alexander Vindman—retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and former Director for European Affairs on the White House National Security Council. Known for his key role in the first Trump impeachment and his deep expertise in Eastern European affairs, Vindman returns to discuss his latest book, The Folly of Realism:…
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Stop Toxic Partisanship (Doing Our Part): Finding Humanity in Polarized Politics & Religion
51:54
51:54
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51:54In this episode, host Corey Nathan reflects on a pivotal shift in direction for the podcast. The solo episodes of “Talkin’ Politics & Religion Without Killin’ Each Other” will be moving toward a more practical focus—answering the question of how we engage in tough conversations about politics and religion in more productive, neighborly, human ways.…
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Christianity's Decline Finally Over? Here's Proof
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32:24
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32:24For 15 years, the story’s been the same: belief is fading. But new data tells a different story. Not just in America—but across the West. Let’s unpack what’s changing and what the Church should do next. IMPORTANT LINKS - Religion in 2024: The Plateau Is Real: https://bit.ly/4cYyCN7 - The Quiet Revival: Gen Z leads rise in church attendance: https:/…
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Serene Jones on Grace, Grit, and God: How Faith Can Heal a Fractured Democracy
1:04:18
1:04:18
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1:04:18In this episode, host Corey Nathan speaks with Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, President of Union Theological Seminary. As the first woman to lead the historic 180-year-old institution, Dr. Jones brings deep insight to the intersection of theology, justice, and public life. Together, they explore how Christian faith can guide us through trauma, division, an…
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From the Boardroom to Town Hall: Leading with Civility with Mayor Lisa Willey Knierim
1:05:18
1:05:18
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1:05:18In this episode, host Corey Nathan reconnects with Lisa Willey Knierim—Mayor of Cranbury Township, NJ, President of 1880 Hospitality, and high school pal. Lisa shares powerful insights into the realities of small-town governance, the impact of state housing mandates, and the ripple effects of national political discourse. From boardrooms to townshi…
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Quick Fixes To Improve Church Announcements
30:47
30:47
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30:47From blah to brilliant—5 quick, proven fixes to instantly level up your church announcements. No overhaul needed, just simple tweaks that make a big difference. ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 4:15 - The Curveball 8:05 - The Callback 13:15 - The Interview 17:31 - The Interaction 22:18 - Th…
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Beyond Outrage and Misperceptions: Building the Muscles for Democracy (with More In Common's Kate Carney)
1:04:54
1:04:54
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1:04:54In this episode, Corey Nathan sits down with Kate Carney, Deputy Director at More in Common. Kate shares her fascinating journey—from working in Congress to boating 6,000 miles around the U.S.—and how those experiences shape her work today. The conversation centers on More in Common’s new report, The Connection Opportunity, and explores how we can …
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Trump's Attack on Decency and Your Constitutional Rights: Why It's NOT Normal
40:54
40:54
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40:54In this episode, host Corey Nathan reflects on where we stand as a country several months into the current administration. With candor and conviction, Corey explores the themes of democracy, decency, and due process. Drawing from scripture, the Constitution, and commentary by thought leaders like David Brooks and Mike Madrid, this episode delivers …
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Why Your Church Growth Strategy Isn’t Working (And What to Do Instead) – With Tyler Harden
39:29
39:29
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39:29Are your church’s outreach efforts falling flat—even though you’re running ads, building your website, and following best practices? In this episode, Jono Long sits down with Tyler Harden from Firm Foundations Marketing to reveal the #1 mistake most churches make in their growth strategy: not truly knowing their community. Tyler shares practical wi…
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Today on the show: 15 things everyone says your church needs on social media. Spoiler — many don’t matter at all. We’re sorting each one: necessary, nice to have, or nonsense. Let’s cut through the noise. ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:48 - Spring Promotions 5:46 - Facebook Group 7:04 -…
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E.J. Dionne: "Come, Let Us Reason Together" | Resisting Extremism and the Path to National Healing
1:19:18
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1:19:18In this episode, host Corey Nathan talks with renowned journalist, scholar, and public intellectual E.J. Dionne Jr. E.J. is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a syndicated columnist for The Washington Post, a professor at Georgetown University, and a prolific author. Together, they discuss democracy, faith, political polarization, and th…
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The Unflinching Eye: McKay Coppins on Journalism, the Threats to Our Freedoms and the Power of Inquiry
1:12:18
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1:12:18🎙️Award-winning journalist and Atlantic staff writer McKay Coppins joins us to explore the delicate intersections of politics, faith, and journalism. From shadowing Donald Trump to chronicling the political journey of Mitt Romney, McKay shares what it takes to pursue truth in turbulent times. What We Discuss: What it’s like getting rare access to T…
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I Was Right About the Law, But My Delivery Was WRONG: How to Discuss Threats to Our Rights Without Being a Jerk
26:18
26:18
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26:18In this episode, host Corey Nathan shares a candid reflection about a recent encounter where he was right on the facts and the law—but completely wrong in how he presented them. Yet if we're honest with ourselves about when we make mistakes, it's a good opportunity to learn, reminding us that how we communicate is just as important as what we commu…
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Untangling the Partisan Knot: A Balanced Look at Political News with Isaac Saul of Tangle
1:13:36
1:13:36
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1:13:36In this episode, we sit down with Isaac Saul, founder of Tangle, a widely respected, nonpartisan political newsletter. Isaac and his team bring a fresh approach to political journalism by curating multiple perspectives—right, left, and independent—on major stories of the day. Corey, a fan and avid reader of Tangle, dives deep into Isaac’s upbringin…
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Church Branding 101: What Every Ministry Should Know
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33:03
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33:03This is Church Branding 101. Learn the difference between brand and branding, exercises to define your church’s identity, and whether branding even belongs in ministry. ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 2:02 - The Simplest Way To Understand Branding 3:52 - Brand vs. Branding 5:38 - All Churc…
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(ICYMI) Beyond Right and Left: Rabbi Sharon Brous and the Courage to Ask 'What Do You See?' After October 7th
1:08:54
1:08:54
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1:08:54In this deeply moving episode, Corey Nathan welcomes Rabbi Sharon Brous, the senior and founding rabbi of IKAR, a groundbreaking Jewish community based in Los Angeles. Rabbi Brous is also the author of The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Heal Our Hearts and Mend Our Broken World. Together, they explore ancient traditions, mental health, spiritual le…
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From Bible School to 'Trump Grumpies': Gen Z Asks, What Would Jesus Really Do? with Emerson Riley Nathan
1:19:36
1:19:36
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1:19:36In this heartfelt and wide-ranging episode, host Corey Nathan sits down with a very special guest — his own son, Emerson Riley Nathan. Together, they dive into Gen Z’s unique perspective on faith, politics, and culture. As a young adult navigating the complexities of belief, identity, and creativity, Emerson offers refreshing candor about his spiri…
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How to Build a Leadership Pipeline That Actually Works – With Mac Lake
47:56
47:56
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47:56In this episode of The Pro Church Marketing Podcast, host Jono Long interviews leadership development expert and Multiply Group founder Mac Lake. Together, they explore why leadership development continues to be the #1 struggle for churches, despite the abundance of leadership resources. Mac explains the difference between leadership placement and …
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Brutally Honest Truths for Millennials in the Church
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30:00Ministry is shifting, and Millennials are stepping into leadership like never before. But without awareness, we risk repeating the mistakes of those before us. Let’s talk about what’s changing and how to navigate it wisely. ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 5:20 - Big Idea #1: Creative Cultu…
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Will Saletan: Navigating Toxic Partisanship and Challenging Extremist Absurdity
1:28:38
1:28:38
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1:28:38In this episode, we welcome back political journalist and author Will Saletan. Will, formerly of Slate and now a writer for The Bulwark, is known for his sharp insights on American democracy, political corruption, and authoritarianism. Will reflects on the pivotal events leading up to and following the 2024 election, including Joe Biden’s withdrawa…
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Dumb Ideas Welcome? Navigating Free Speech and Falsehoods in a Divided Democracy
57:18
57:18
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57:18In this solo episode, host Corey Nathan takes a deep dive into one of the foundational guidelines we've used in curating conversations both in person and online: handling misinformation. Corey reflects on his experiences moderating political and religious discussions, the evolution of social media moderation, and the fine balance between protecting…
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Raising Leaders and Reaching Your City with Pastor Ryan Vernon of 902 Church
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35:50In this power-packed episode of The Pro Church Marketing Podcast, Jono Long chats with Pastor Ryan Vernon of 902 Church about what it really takes to grow a church in a small town. From leveraging his marketing degree and business background to creating leadership pipelines that work, Pastor Ryan breaks down how 902 Church has thrived in Kinston, N…
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(Best of) David Brooks, HOW TO KNOW A PERSON: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen
1:06:48
1:06:48
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1:06:48This conversation with David Brooks was a real highlight. We originally recorded our talk just after his most recent book HOW TO KNOW A PERSON was released. Enjoy. You might recognize David Brooks from his columns in The New York Times or his essays in The Atlantic. Perhaps you’ve seen him on PBS NewsHour or Meet the Press. He’s also a prolific aut…
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How to Communicate with a Stubborn Pastor
34:05
34:05
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34:05What do you do when your pastor won’t listen? This is a common challenge in churches, and today, we’re sharing five practical approaches to communicate effectively—without being manipulative. These strategies work in churches of all sizes. ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 3:02 - The Princip…
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Mónica Guzmán: Breaking the Cycle of Outrage Through Fearlessly Curious Conversations
1:03:18
1:03:18
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1:03:18In this episode, host Corey Nathan welcomes back Monica Guzmán, Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels, host of A Braver Way podcast, CEO of Reclaim Curiosity, and author of I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times. Monica’s mission is to help bridge America’s political di…
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Can we bridge the partisan divide and have constructive dialogue about politics and religion with "them" - people who have different beliefs about democracy, politics and religion? Are we able to simply have civil, civic conversations? (We're grateful to have a number of new listeners. So we thought it'd be good to revisit this episode that was fir…
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A Frank Discussion on American Politics with an "Untethered Expat" Originally from Bucks County PA
1:28:36
1:28:36
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1:28:36In this episode, host Corey Nathan reconnects with his longtime friend Gary Keifer, an expat currently living in Peru. Gary brings a refreshingly honest and “untethered” perspective to U.S. politics, unfiltered by party loyalty or institutional affiliation. With a background in comedy, improv, and theater, Gary offers thoughtful insights rooted in …
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Google Ad Grant 2025 Updates (Part 3): Conversion Tracking
36:05
36:05
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36:05In this episode of The Pro Church Marketing Podcast, we’re diving deep into conversion tracking—why it matters and how to do it right. Jono Long is joined by Google Ads expert John Hosko and Faithworks’s Melissa Keane to simplify the ins and outs of tracking actions like form submissions, phone calls, and donations using Google Tag Manager and GA4 …
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Speaking Truth to Power (and to the Pews): Peter Wehner on the Evangelical Vote and America's Future
55:54
55:54
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55:54In this conversation, host Corey Nathan welcomes back Peter Wehner, contributing writer at The Atlantic and The New York Times, senior fellow at the Trinity Forum, and author of multiple books including The Death of Politics and City of Man. A former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, Pete brings a unique perspective shaped by his deep poli…
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Beyond Arguments: Setting Boundaries and Clearing the Brush for Civil Political and Religious Conversations
38:26
38:26
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38:26In this episode, we explore some essential tools for navigating difficult conversations in today’s polarized world. After all, we are part of The Democracy Group! And our goal with TDG and this program is to foster respectful, insightful discussions on politics, religion, and other sensitive topics—without resorting to hostility. In this solo episo…
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It’s time to check in on the state of religion and Christianity. We’ve gathered key data-backed trends shaping this decade, including the one denomination that’s growing, the strongest force in American religion, and the most common words in new church names. Let’s dive in. ============================= Table of Contents: ==========================…
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Charlie Sykes - From Reagan Republicans to RFK Jr.: How the Right Lost Its Mind (Again)
1:12:26
1:12:26
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1:12:26In this episode, host Corey Nathan sits down with Charlie Sykes, a prominent conservative commentator, former talk radio host, and founder of The Bulwark, who's currently writing and podcasting on his excellent Substack To the Contrary. Known for his sharp political insights and willingness to challenge the current trajectory of the Republican Part…
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Grave Concerns and Glimmers of Hope: Navigating the State of US Politics
28:07
28:07
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28:07In this episode, host Corey Nathan shares his candid thoughts on hope, concerns about the state of democracy, and the importance of engaging in meaningful conversations. Inspired by recent discussions with David French and Charlie Sykes, Corey explores whether he remains hopeful about the future—both at the national level and in his local community…
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Google Ad Grant 2025 Updates (Part 2): Church Website, Landing Pages & Ad Performance
44:09
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44:09In this episode of The Pro Church Marketing Podcast, Jono and Melissa continue their 3-part series on the 2025 Guide to the Google Ad Grant for Churches. If you've been struggling to get your ads to spend—or wondering why your click-throughs aren’t leading to engagement—this episode is for you. We’re talking all about your church website and how it…
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Church social media strategies that DIED in 2025
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36:32
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36:32RIP to these social media strategies—they didn’t make it in 2025. If your church is still using them, it’s time to move on. The good news? Dropping outdated tactics frees you up to focus on what truly works. Let’s break it down. ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:53 - Followers 10:25 - Publ…
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David French | Friends or Enemies? Overcoming Divides with Justice, Kindness, and Humility in a Polarized America
1:15:36
1:15:36
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1:15:36In this episode, we welcome back David French, columnist for The New York Times, former constitutional attorney, and author of Divided We Fall. We discuss the current state of American democracy, the challenges of political division, and how we can engage in civil discourse despite deep ideological differences. David also shares a personal update o…
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How to Discuss Ukraine: First Principles, Facts, and Formulating Reasoned Positions
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33:54In this episode we dive into the complex issue of Ukraine, America's involvement, and the broader implications for democracy and global alliances. This episode is an exploration of how we can develop reasoned positions on global conflicts, engage in informed discussions, and recognize the limitations of our own expertise. What We Discuss How to app…
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Best Church Cameras For 2025 [Great New Options!]
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34:24
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34:24Our 2025 church camera buying guide is here, featuring the best new options of the year. We’ll break down top picks across mirrorless, cinema, studio, PTZ, and camcorders—plus, grab our downloadable camera catalog. 2025 CAMERA CATALOG HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/best-church-cameras-buying-guide ============================= Table of Contents: …
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Google Ad Grant 2025 Updates (Part 1): Performance Max, AI & Church Marketing
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29:25This is the first episode in our multi-part series on how churches can navigate the new changes to Google Ad Grants in 2025! 👀 In this episode, we cover: ✅ The #1 mistake churches make with Google Ad Grants (and how to avoid it) ✅ Performance Max campaigns – what they are & how they help your church grow ✅ Why AI is a tool—not a replacement for sma…
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