In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian and BrianJames explore a challenging idea: God gives promises, and God gives commands,and confusing the two can shape the entire direction of our lives. Reflecting on the story of Abraham and their own experiences in ministry and leadership, they wrestle with the tension between believing what God will do and trying to make it happen ourselves. They invite us back to a slower, more grounded posture of faithfulness: listening for what God is asking today, trusting Him with what only He can accomplish, and learning to abide rather than produce. The result is not passivity, but a deeper participation in the work God is already doing.

In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian and BrianJames McMahon continue their conversation on experience, imagination, and hope, moving from framework into practice. Together, they explore why transformation so often stalls, namely, because people lack the experiences needed to imagine a different way of life. They unpack how real change happens when we go beyond just explanation, and into embodied moments that create new possibilities. This episode brings the conversation into the practical rhythms of life, like exploring the importance of slowing down, breaking leadership into micro-skills, building imagination at the right pace, and creating environments where people can actually experience the life we’re inviting them into. The question for this episode is: where are we cultivating the kinds of experiences that lead to real hope and lasting transformation?

In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian is joined by BrianJames McMahon for a conversation that moves beneath strategy and into formation. Together, they explore the relationship between experience, imagination, and hope, and why so many efforts toward disciple-making and microchurch life stall when imagination has not first been cultivated. The conversation revolves around the idea that we cannot hope for what we cannot imagine, and we cannot imagine what we have not experienced. Drawing from lived moments, theological insight, and the everyday challenges of movemental leadership, this conversation invites us to reconsider how change actually happens. Rather than trying to convince or compel, they point toward the slow, intentional work of creating experiences and reflecting on them, allowing imagination to grow and hope to take root.

In this episode of the Kansas City Underground Podcast, we interview Ashlyn Griffin, a younger leader who has been developing a new team among young adults in Kansas City. From her early days in a traditional church setting to her "come to Jesus" moment, Ashlyn shares her path of faith, mission, and the challenges of disciple-making. Join us as we explore the messy yet rewarding process of living on mission, the importance of community, and the refining fire that shapes our identity in Christ.

In this episode, Peter "Pheaney" Lindell from the On The Road podcast sits down with Cory and Brian from KC Underground to explore the concept of "hubs" in disciple-making movements. We discuss the importance of creating local networks that equip everyday people to become disciple makers in their networks of relationships. The conversation dives into the balance between organic growth and structured support, sharing insights on how to foster a movement that thrives both locally and citywide.

In this episode, Brian and Cory wrap up this series around the Upside Down Kingdom and share insights from the past several episodes. We discuss the concept of greatness in the kingdom of God, emphasizing that true leadership is rooted in servanthood and familial relationships. The conversation explores the challenges of multiplication and the importance of identity in leadership, as well as practical examples of how to develop leaders in a way that reflects the values of the kingdom.

In this episode, Brian and Cory interview Tim Jore and Jesse Griffin as we explore the themes of leadership, church structure, and the role of the church as a family. Tim and Jesse have written extensively about how we view leadership in the church and the necessity of understanding what the original authors of the New Testament were communicating to us about how we lead the church in a modern context.

In this episode, Brian and Cory interview Neil Cole and delve into the themes of leadership, church movements, and the importance of relationships over hierarchical structures. They discuss the fear of chaos in leadership, the need for authenticity and vulnerability, and the transformative power of love in the Kingdom of God. Neil shares his personal journey of faith and the lessons learned through years of silence and dependence on Christ. The conversation emphasizes the need for a decentralized approach to church leadership that empowers individuals and fosters genuine community.

In this episode, Brian and Cory interview Roy Moran and explore the paradoxes of leadership in the context of Jesus' teachings. We discuss the shift from celebrity culture to a more humble, servant-oriented leadership style, emphasizing the importance of empowering ordinary people to lead and make disciples. The conversation highlights global perspectives on discipleship, the role of humility in leadership, and the vision for future leadership that prioritizes community and collaboration over status.

In this episode, Cory and Brian interview Alan Hirsch and explore the dynamics of kingdom movements, emphasizing the importance of decentralized leadership and the dangers of centralized power structures. We discuss the significance of metaphors in understanding movements, the cultural implications of fame in leadership, and practical insights for ordinary disciple makers. We also highlight the need for a shift from consumer-driven church models to organic, community-focused movements that prioritize discipleship and service.

In part two of this two-part episode, Nadim Costa shares his insights on leadership, cultural differences, and the importance of personal faith in ministry. He discusses the challenges of applying Western leadership models in different cultural contexts, the role of theology in ministry, and the transformative power of serving marginalized communities, particularly the disabled in the Middle East. Nadim emphasizes the need for a personal relationship with God and encourages listeners to make themselves available to serve others without limitations.

In part one of this two-part episode, Cory and Brian interview Nadim Costa who shares his profound journey from Lebanon's civil war to a dynamic faith in Christ. He discusses the paradoxes of leadership in the context of the Upside Down Kingdom, emphasizing that God often chooses the unlikely over the powerful. Through transformative stories and encounters, Nadim illustrates how God is moving in unexpected ways, particularly in the Middle East, and challenges listeners to embrace a faith that is interactive and alive.

In this episode, we interview Rob Wegner and talk about the contrasting paradigms of leadership as exemplified by Jesus and the prevalent models in American churches. We explore everything from the dangers of volunteerism that leads to a domesticated version of mission, the temptation of leadership roles, and the importance of choosing obscurity over fame. We also highlight the significance of being rooted in community and the transformative power of ordinary people in the mission of the church.

​​In this opening episode, Brian and Cory cast vision for this new series on where we will explore the radical invitation of Jesus to lead in a way that flips everything upside-down. While Western models of leadership often chase platform, power, and personality, Jesus modeled something entirely different: surrender, service, and spiritual authority rooted in love. We explore key biblical passages, Mark 10, Philippians 2, and John 13, and show how this isn’t just theory. It’s how movements are actually growing today, from underground networks in the Global South to ordinary disciple-makers in places like Kansas City.