Lifeline for Leaders
Lifeline for Leaders is a podcast created to strengthen, encourage, and unite those serving in pregnancy care clinics and pro-life ministries. Hosted by Kirk and Linda Thomas, the podcast features thoughtful conversations with leaders, ministry partners, authors, and experts who understand the unique challenges of this work.
Each episode offers practical insights you can use right away, along with stories and perspectives that remind you you’re not walking this journey alone. Whether you’re navigating leadership decisions or facing a demanding season, Lifeline for Leaders exists to provide community, connection, and clarity—helping you move forward with confidence and purpose.
Episodes
23 episodes
Episode 22 - A Ministry’s Journey to the Supreme Court with Aimee Huber & Gabriella McIntyre
What happens when a ministry is forced to defend its mission all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court?In this powerful episode of Lifeline for Leaders, Kirk and Linda sit down with Aimee Huber, Executive Dir...
Episode 21 - Lost Fatherhood, Found Purpose with Sean Corcoran
In a culture searching for answers, who is stepping up to guide the next generation of fathers?This week on Lifeline for Leaders, Kirk and Linda welcome Sean Corcoran, founder of Men for Life, to discuss one of the most ove...
Episode 20 - Leading Through Cultural and Political Change with Ashley Leenerts
What does it take to lead with conviction in one of today's most challenging cultural conversations?In this episode of Lifeline for Leaders, Linda Thomas sits down with Ashley Leenerts, Legislative Director for Texas Right to L...
Episode 19 - Leading a Statewide Mission of Care with Rita Gagliano
What does it take to build a statewide network that supports women, families, and pregnancy care centers with excellence, compassion, and lasting impact?In this episode of Lifeline for Leaders, Kirk and Linda Thomas sit down wi...
Episode 18 - Shaping the Future of Life-Affirming Healthcare with Jeanette Kuiphof, Kristy Stevens & Jessica Ekstrom
What if the future of life-affirming healthcare is bigger than a single appointment?In Part 2 of our conversation with Jeanette Kuiphof, Kristy Stevens, and Jessica Ekstrom of Obria Medical Clinics Los Angeles, we explore what ...
Episode 17 - Leading with Compassion and Conviction with Jeanette Kuiphof, Kristy Stevens & Jessica Ekstrom
Leadership in ministry and healthcare can be deeply meaningful—but it can also be emotionally exhausting.In this special two-part episode of Lifeline for Leaders, Kirk and Linda Thomas sit down with the leadership team from Obr...
Episode 16 - Beyond the Annual Banquet with Haley Limo
Fundraising can feel overwhelming for many nonprofit leaders—especially when so much pressure is placed on annual banquets, galas, and constant financial uncertainty. But what if sustainable fundraising is built less on events and more on in...
Episode 15 - The Challenge of Growing Well with Jennifer Shelton
Leading a pregnancy center in today’s culture requires more than passion—it requires courage, clarity, adaptability, and deep trust in God.In this episode of Lifeline for Leaders, we sit down with Jennifer Shelton, CEO of RealO...
Episode 14 - AI Is Everywhere—But Should Your Clinic Be Using It? (with Jon Merwarth)
AI is everywhere—but for many nonprofit and pregnancy center leaders, it still feels overwhelming, unclear, or even a little intimidating.In this episode of Lifeline for Leaders, we welcome back Jon Merwa...
Episode 13 - Are You Growing—or Stuck? Strategic Growth for Mission-Driven Leaders | Jon Merwarth
What if growth isn’t actually the goal?In this episode of Lifeline for Leaders, we sit down with Jon Merwarth of ThrivePoint Consulting to challenge one of the biggest assumptions in nonprofit and pregnan...
Episode 12 - Peace of Mind in Your Numbers: Simplifying Your Financials So You Can Focus on What Matters Most (with Lisa Schmitz)
If your nonprofit finances feel overwhelming, unclear, or always a step behind—you’re not alone. And more importantly, it doesn’t have to stay that way.In this episode of Lifeline for Leaders, we sit down...
Episode 11 - Expanding with Intention: How Caring Network Is Growing Pregnancy Care (with Kirt Wiggins)
What does it really take to grow a ministry or scale a nonprofit without losing sight of your mission?In this episode of the Lifeline for Leaders Podcast, Kirk and Linda Thomas sits down with Kirt Wiggins, President of Caring N...
Episode 10 - Prevention with Purpose: The Role of Pregnancy Care Clinics
How can leaders create lasting impact, influence the next generation, and prevent problems before they begin?In this episode of the Lifeline for Leaders Podcast, Kirk and Linda Thomas are joined by Tracey Pike, a nationally rec...
Episode 09 - Hero, Ghost, or Villain: Calling Fathers Back to Their God-Given Role
Fatherhood isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, intentionality, and the legacy you leave behind.In this episode of the Lifeline for Leaders Podcast, Kirk Thomas sits down with Andrew Wood for a powerful, honest conversat...
Episode 08 - Fathers Matter: Why Pregnancy Centers Must Engage Dads
Fathers play a powerful role in the health of families, the strength of communities, and the future of the next generation—but too often their voices are missing from the conversation.In this episode of the Lifeline for Leaders...
Episode 07 - Leading with Heart: Behind the Scenes of the Heartbeat International Conference (Part 2)
What makes the Heartbeat International Conference such a powerful experience for leaders in the pregnancy help movement? In this episode of Lifeline for Leaders Podcast, hosts Kirk and Jenn sit down with Andrea from Heartbeat International t...
Episode 06 - Leading with Heart: Andrea Trudden (Part 1)
Conference season can feel exciting… and overwhelming.In this episode of Lifeline for Leaders, we sit down with Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications & Marketing at Heartbeat International, to talk about how lead...
Episode 05 - Finishing Well: Leading Without Losing Yourself
Today’s Lifeline is for the leader who feels the weight of responsibility — the pressure to stay strong, the expectation to carry the vision, and the quiet loneliness that comes with being the one everyone depends on.In this po...
Episode 04 - Gratitude as Defiance (Saving Samaria Part 4)
In this powerful final episode of our Saving Samaria series, Kirk and Jenn Walden return to help us look inward at what sustains leaders when the work feels heavy, progress seems slow, and hope feels fragile.
Episode 03 - Fruit, Not Fire: Leading with Conviction and Compassion (Saving Samaria Part 3)
In Part 3 of our Saving Samaria series on Lifeline for Leaders, Kirk and Jenn Walden explore two transformative strategies for engaging today’s divided and emotionally charged culture: Fruit, Not Fire and Wear Compassi...
Episode 02 - The Courage to Be Real: Vulnerability, Labels, and Leadership
In this episode of Lifeline for Leaders, Kirk and Jenn Walden continue unpacking key strategies from Saving Samaria: Seven Jesus Strategies for Healing a Broken Culture, focusing on two transformational leadership prin...
Saving Samaria, Part 1: Where Love Leads and Hope Begins
In this opening episode of Life Line for Leaders, hosts welcome authors Kirk and Jenn Walden to discuss their new book, Saving Samaria: Seven Jesus Strategies for Healing a Broken Culture....
Welcome to Life Line for Leaders: Community. Connection. Clarity.
Leadership in pregnancy care clinics and pro-life ministries can feel heavy and often isolating.Life Line for Leaders is a podcast created to strengthen and encourage those serving on the front lines. Each episode feature...
