Season 2 Episode 1: If AI can do everything, do we humans still matter?

Leading on Empty? What Jesus Knew That Most Leaders Miss

Leadership can slowly disconnect you from yourself. Most leaders are not dealing with a strategy problem or a culture issue. They are dealing with a formation problem. They are leading from empty. And no amount of hustle, productivity, or better planning fixes a leader who is running on fumes. In this episode of The Deep Dive, Jose St. Phard unpacks what it means to become a Word-Shaped Leader. This is more than reading the Bible. This is about letting Scripture form you from the inside out. Using Matthew 4 as the foundation, we explore how Jesus modeled something most leaders desperately need but rarely practice. He entered the wilderness full. He faced pressure from a place of identity, not insecurity. He led from fullness, not exhaustion. That sequence is intentional formation. In this episode you will learn: Why leadership burnout is often a formation problem and not just a workload problem. Why leaders are tempted to lead from authority instead of responsibility and why that distinction changes everything. How Scripture forms your identity, stabilizes your perspective, and builds resilience from the inside out. How to write a personal identity statement rooted in Scripture so you know who you are before the pressure tells you otherwise. How to build a resilience list, a collection of verses that anchor you in hard seasons. The simple daily rhythm that quietly separates leaders who last from leaders who break. Whether you are a pastor, executive, healthcare leader, entrepreneur, or caregiver, this episode is for anyone who has been pouring out for others and quietly wondering how much longer they can keep going at this pace. Contrary to popular believe, the answer is not more hustle; rather it is deeper formation. It is time to dive deep. Follow Jose on Instagram: @iamsaintphard If this episode helped you, share it with one leader who has been running on empty. That is the most generous thing you can do.

You’re Not Consistent Because You Don’t Have a System (0→10K in 5 months Framework) | Alex Portillo

Episode Description If you’re trying to grow on social media but you keep falling off, it’s not a motivation problem. It’s a system problem. In this episode, pastor and creator Alex Portillo shares the framework that helped him grow from 0 to 10K in 5 months and post consistently without running out of ideas. We break down the “no weeks off” rule, why growth often plateaus after early momentum, and how to create content that serves the person scrolling instead of making it about you. If you’re a leader or faith leader building trust online, this conversation will reset your approach. In this episode, you’ll learn: * The “no weeks off” rule that protects consistency * How to build a repeatable content system so you don’t rely on inspiration * Why 10K → 20K can take longer than 0 → 10K (and how to stay steady) * The viewer first mindset that builds trust * Why short form content is disposable and why that should relieve pressure, not add to it About The Deep Dive: The Deep Dive helps leaders lead from a healed heart and create high impact in the church, in business, and in the world. Follow + Connect * Jose St. Phard (Host): @thedeepdivewithjose on Instagram & TikTok * Guest: Alex Portillo: @SanBertoAlejandro on Instagram Website: https://deepdivewithjose.com [https://deepdivewithjose.com/]

Season 2 Episode 1: If AI can do everything, do we humans still matter?

In this powerful episode of The Deep Dive with Jose St. Phard, Jose sits down with Dr. Kessia Reyne Bennett, a theologian and thinker who helps us wrestle with one of the most critical questions of our time: What does it mean to be human in the age of artificial intelligence? Together, they explore how generative AI is reshaping the conversation around creativity, technology, and human consciousness. Whether you're a pastor, leader, entrepreneur, creator, or dreamer, this episode will challenge how you think about what truly makes us human. In the age of AI, Jose & Dr. Bennett remind us that human presence and human connection are still humanity's most incredible superpowers. Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/WK0FDkWPaIs [https://youtu.be/WK0FDkWPaIs] Connect with Jose: Instagram: @iamsaintphard Instagram: @ThedeepdivewithJose Website: www.thedeepdivewithjose.com [http://www.thedeepdivewithjose.com] BIO: Jose St. Phard is a pastor, executive coach, and speaker. Through his work in leadership and personal growth, he’s guided thousands of people to strengthen their spiritual lives and lead with greater confidence. He’s the host of The Deep Dive Podcast and serves as Lead Pastor at Oasis Christian Center in Vancouver, Washington, where he lives with his wife, Tiffany, and their two children. Subscribe for more conversations on faith, leadership, and what it means to be human in a changing world.

Episode 8: NO ONE TALKS ABOUT THIS PART OF LEADERSHIP

THIS IS THE PART NO ONE TALKS ABOUT:  Growth as a faith leader is directly tied to your capacity to carry and process pain well. What you don’t transform, you will inevitably transmit. It will come out in your church, your team, or your family. In this episode, we go beneath the surface of leadership success and explore the real, raw process God uses to shape your soul. Episode Summary: Leadership isn’t just about vision-casting, strategic planning, or building platforms. It's about learning to lead through pain. In this episode, Jose shares personal reflections on leadership wounds, the loneliness of responsibility, and how God uses pain as a crucible for transformation. Drawing from Samuel Chand’s Leadership Pain, scripture, and real-world experience, this conversation exposes the often-ignored truths of the leader’s journey and how to make peace with pain instead of running from it. Whether you're a pastor, coach, creative, or organizational leader, this episode is for anyone who’s ever whispered, “I didn’t know it would hurt this much.”   Takeaways: 1. The Deeper the Pain, the Greater the Potential. “You’ll grow only to the threshold of your pain.” — Samuel Chand Pain is not the enemy of your calling; it’s often the pathway God uses. Every level of leadership requires a new level of dying to self, and many leaders quit because no one prepared them for the pain. Reflection Question: Are you resisting what God is using to refine you? 2. Pain Is a Part of the Process. Pain reshapes your identity. Loss, betrayal, and chronic pressure force us to redefine what success really means. As Dr. Chand writes, “Pain is the classroom where God teaches His deepest lessons.” Transformation is always personal before it’s public. While God doesn't waste your pain, He won’t bypass it either. 3. You Can’t Lead Well if You Don’t Lament Honestly Church culture often rushes to “hope” while bypassing “hurt.” Leaders need to reengage the lost discipline of lament. David wrote his most powerful psalms from caves, not castles (Psalm 142). Jesus wept before He resurrected Lazarus. True leadership honors emotion without being ruled by it. Takeaway Practice: Try a 5-minute journaling exercise where you write honestly about your leadership wounds as a form of prayer. Bonus Resources: From Leadership Pain by Samuel Chand: * “You’ll grow only to the threshold of your pain.” * “Discomfort can be a catalyst for growth. It makes us yearn for something more. It forces us to change, stretch, and adapt.” * “Pain is a part of progress. Anything that grows experiences some pain. If I avoid all pain, I’m avoiding growth.”   Spiritual Practices for Processing Pain: * Pray Lament Psalms: Start with Psalm 13, 77, or 88. * Soul Check-ins: Ask yourself weekly, “What’s bleeding in me that I’m trying to lead through?” This is the Perfect Listen For: * Pastors and spiritual leaders battling burnout * Visionaries navigating disappointment * Emerging leaders asking, “Is this normal?” * Anyone carrying silent wounds while trying to lead well Send this to a leader who needs to hear this. Leave a review if this hit deep. And most importantly, don’t walk through pain alone. Let us journey with you.

If It Makes Everyone Comfortable, It’s Probably Not From God: How to protect your God-given vision in a world that doesn’t get it!

If It Makes Everyone Comfortable, It’s Probably Not From God Welcome to The Deep Dive with Jose St. Phard! The podcast created specifically for dreamers, leaders, and changemakers. In this episode, we're tackling a topic every dreamer faces but rarely talks about openly: criticism and misunderstanding. When you're pursuing a God-sized vision, you'll inevitably encounter skeptics, doubters, and critics. But here’s the powerful truth—it’s meant to be that way. We dive deep into the life of Joseph (Genesis 37–50), a visionary whose God-given dreams took him on a journey filled with misunderstanding, betrayal, setbacks, and ultimately into extraordinary purpose. His story will help you understand why critics are often a sign you're on the right path, how setbacks can be setups for your purpose, and why it’s essential to believe boldly even when no one else sees your vision. If you've ever felt pressure to shrink your dreams to fit other people's comfort zones, let this episode empower you to dream bigger, louder, and more boldly than ever before. Key Episode Highlights: * Why Criticism Confirms Your Calling: Discover why pushback is often proof you're dreaming big enough. * Turning Setbacks into Setups: How Joseph navigated betrayal and prison, turning them into stepping stones toward his destiny. * Time, Chance, and Favor (Ecclesiastes 9:11): Success isn't determined solely by speed, strength, or smarts—learn the deeper truths that shape your dream’s journey. * Believing Before Others See It: The critical importance of owning your dream fully, even when it's misunderstood. * Leading Today for Tomorrow: Practical ways to show up now as the visionary leader God created you to become. Scriptures Explored: * Genesis 37–50: Joseph’s transformational journey from dream to destiny. * Ecclesiastes 9:11: "The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong… but time and chance happen to them all." * Genesis 39:20–23: Experiencing God's favor even in life's lowest moments. * 1 Samuel 17: David's boldness in the face of criticism and opposition. * Isaiah 60:22: "At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen."   Reflection for Dreamers: Ask yourself: "Where have I been shrinking my dream to fit other people's comfort zones?" Remember—your dream isn’t just about you. It’s about all the people God will impact through you. Action Steps: 1. Declare it: Clearly write down your dream and speak it aloud this week. 2. Own it: Start acting today like the leader your dream demands you to become. 3. Trust it: Embrace setbacks as purposeful steps toward your God-given vision. Connect & Engage: * Instagram: @iamsaintphard [https://instagram.com/iamsaintphard] | @thedeepdivewithJose [https://instagram.com/thedeepdivewithJose] * Subscribe & Review: Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe and leave a rating or review—it genuinely helps us reach more dreamers like you. * Share: Know someone who needs this message? Send them this episode today! Remember—if your dream makes everyone comfortable, it’s probably not from God.   Let’s keep diving deep!