Why Are You Charging for a Book You Didn't Write?" A Father's Day Conversation on Pastoring

Why Are You Charging for a Book You Didn't Write?" A Father's Day Conversation on Pastoring

It's a Father's Day edition of Thee PK Pod, and this one is personal. Jasmine sits down with her own father, Bishop Clifton Edwards Jr., for a conversation that goes from LA gospel history to hard truths about the current state of the church. Bishop Edwards has been pastoring for over 35 years. He brought Yolanda Adams to LA before anyone knew her name, worked alongside Thomas Whitfield, Maddie Moss Clark, and a list of gospel legends most people only read about. In this episode he gets honest about money in ministry, including the moment he questions pastors charging people just to access them as a covering. He calls out what he names "pastoritis," a generation chasing the platform without wanting the process, and explains why he's never wanted to be famous. They also get into his new venture, the Episcopal Training Academy and Conference, built to help pastors get the theological education the pulpit doesn't always require. And because no PK Pod episode is complete without a game, Bishop Edwards ranks his top three preachers of all time and goes head to head in a round of "This or That" covering gospel legends from Thomas Whitfield to Hezekiah Walker. A father, a bishop, a mentor to half of gospel music. Press play. Subscribe.  To learn more about the Episcopal Training Academy visit https://www.etacademy.net/ [https://www.etacademy.net/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2525424/support]

Cory Henry: Grammy Win, The Church Experience, and Why He's Done With the Music Industry

We sit down with Grammy winner Cory Henry for a real talk on calling, church culture, and what it costs to keep creating at the highest level. He connects faith, freedom, and artistry, then gets brutally honest about burnout, streaming payouts, and why he’s ready to retire from the music industry but not from music.  Cory is a Grammy-winning musician, composer, and the creator of The Church Experience, a monthly residency at the Miracle Theater in Inglewood, CA. He grew up in Brooklyn playing organ by age three, performed at the Apollo by six, and has spent over 30 years navigating the tension between the church world he came from and the wider world he always knew he was called to. In this conversation, Jasmine and Cory go deep on the church kid experience from the inside: what it's like to have your gift controlled by church leadership, how to separate God from the people who claim to represent him, and what it looks like to build your own version of ministry when the traditional path wasn't built for you. They also get into the Grammy reality check, why Cory is walking away from the music industry (not music), the math that makes streaming unsustainable for independent artists, and what he's looking for in a wife. (Spoiler: she needs to have her own money.) If you grew up in church and ever felt like your gift was managed, minimized, or misunderstood, this one's for you. Be sure to share this out with a musician or artist that can relate.  #TheePKPod #Cory Henry #Podcasts #Music Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2525424/support]

Faith First, Gigs Second: How Nisan Stewart Mastered the Double Life

Pastor. Drummer. Producer. Nisan Stewart has worked with Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, and Jamie Foxx, toured the world, and still shows up every Sunday to pastor Greater Emmanuel Temple in LA. In this episode, he breaks down how he learned to put the church first without losing his career, why he almost said no to pastoring, and what happened 40 days after his father installed him as pastor.  We also get practical for creatives and musicians. Nisan breaks down capacity, timing, burnout, writer’s block, and the slow grind of finishing big ideas. He explains why gratitude protects the gift, why professionalism keeps you booked, and why musicians can’t afford to wait around for “top artist” calls anymore. Plus, we dig into The Soul Seekers origin story and why he’s bringing back Praise Connection Underground as a monthly space for musicians, singers, and creatives to network and get covered in prayer. If you care about gospel music, church musicianship, creative leadership, and navigating faith in the entertainment industry, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a creative who needs it, and leave a review telling us what part hit home most. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2525424/support]

Calling, Grief and Purpose | B.Slade's Untold Story

B.Slade gets real about grief, calling, and breaking out of expectations. From pastoring after his father’s death to reclaiming his purpose as a global artist, this episode dives into faith, identity, and what it really costs to follow God. If you’ve ever felt stuck between who people expect you to be and who you’re called to become—this one’s for you. Listen, share this with a friend who needs it, and be sure to subscribe and leave a review so more people can find the conversation.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2525424/support]

Gifted but Growing: Navigating Calling, Family, and Faith

Some stories sound like “church kid” on the surface — but underneath, they’re about identity, courage, and learning to grow without guilt. In this episode, Morgan shares her journey as a pastor’s kid navigating faith, expectations, and her calling in music. From early ministry training to singing alongside major artists and with One House Worship, she opens up about the pressure to be perfect, overcoming stage fright, and finding her voice both spiritually and creatively. We explore the realities of PK life, the tension between honoring family and building your own relationship with God, and the power of worship music to give language to life’s hardest moments. Morgan also reflects on influential songs, the impact of Richard Smallwood, and why “Trust Me” continues to resonate deeply. Whether you’re a PK, a worship leader, a songwriter, or simply in a season of growth, this conversation offers honesty, encouragement, and perspective. Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help others discover the show. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2525424/support]