Leaders Who Create

What does it really take to innovate when the world around you keeps changing? This week on Leaders Who Create, Jason Squires sits down with Ryan Dahl, owner of PraiseCharts, to talk about what it looks like to recognize a need, take a risk, and create something that makes a difference. From the early days of paper charts and binders to the digital resources worship leaders use today, we’re talking about what it means to adapt, when it’s time to pivot, and the difference between simply improving something and truly innovating. We’ll also dive into the cost of innovation, the risk of trying something new, and the big question on everyone’s mind: How will AI change the future of worship ministry? Because innovation isn’t just about keeping up with change. It’s about recognizing opportunities to serve people better and being willing to take the next step.
Plus, we settle an important question: What side dish are you bringing to the potluck?
Listen in, and let’s talk about how leadership and creativity collide.

What does it actually take to build something from the ground up?

This week on Leaders Who Create, Jason Squires sits down with Randy Sherwood, Church Planter & Lead Pastor of South Hills Church in Eagle, Idaho, to talk about what happens before the idea ever gets launched.

Who do you want around the table? How important is it for everyone to believe in the vision? And what’s the difference between building a team that simply works for you and building a team that feels like they own the vision with you?

Randy and Jason talk about creating culture before you have an organization, building teams that don’t become dependent on one person’s creativity, and what it looks like to give people ownership in something bigger than themselves.

And, of course, they answer the most important question: If you’re inviting people into a room to pitch the vision for a brand-new idea, what are you eating?

Join us for a conversation about vision, culture, ownership, and the people who help turn an idea into something real.

What happens after you have the idea?

In this episode of Leaders Who Create, Jason Squires sits down with Eric Stalter, the creator of String Translator, to talk about what it actually takes to get an idea off the ground. They talk about where String Translator started, what Eric saw when the idea first came together, and the moment he realized that having a great idea was only the beginning. Because innovation isn't always some huge lightning-bolt moment. Sometimes it's doing the work, figuring things out as you go, changing things, asking for help, and continuing to move forward when the excitement of the original idea wears off. The guys also talk about what he needed to hear from someone else to start moving on the idea, and what he wishes someone had told him before he started building. If you've ever had an idea that wouldn't leave your head, but you weren't sure what to do with it next, this conversation is for you.

And yes, we talk food too. Because of course we do.

Learn more about String Translator at https://stringtranslator.com/.

Legacy starts with when we connect with people.

Over the last couple of months, we’ve had conversations around the idea of creating connection and creating legacy. Two things that might not seem to go together, but are very much a part of each other.

In this episode, Jason Squires brings those two topics together in a short conversation and reflects on some of the conversations we’ve had over the last couple of months.

Our hope is that you’ll listen to all the conversations, find some people to connect with, and continue to create wherever you are.

What does it look like to take an idea that feels a little crazy and actually build it?
In 1974, Jack Hamlin founded Woodland Christian School in Woodland, CA. What started as an idea became something that would grow, impact generations of students and families, and eventually become something much bigger than any one person. In this conversation, Jason Squires sits down with Jack as he takes us back to those early days and shares what it was like to build something from the ground up, navigate the challenges people on the outside never see, and protect the values and culture that mattered along the way. They also talk about that moment when you realize, “This thing is bigger than me now,” and what it looks like to eventually hand something you've poured your life into over to someone else. And maybe the biggest question of all: What do you do when you have an idea but don't feel qualified or capable enough to actually start? This is a conversation about creating, building a legacy, letting go, and having the courage to start the thing that's been on your heart.