The Monochrome
by SALT Community
Welcome to the Monochrome Podcast, a feel-good, lighthearted podcast from the SALT Community that brings together creatives and techs who serve in their local church. If you're the one who's always standing behind the curtain, pushing faders at the booth, re-exporting that design file, or wearing black like it's your job (because it kinda is), this podcast is for you. Along with a few friends and experts, the SALT team takes on challenges facing the everyday church creative by providing fun insights and advice to help you through it. Looking for more? Check us out: SALT Community (https://saltcommunity.com/)SALT Conference (https://www.salt2024.com/)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/salt_community/)TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@thesaltcommunity)Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/theSALTCommunity
Episodes
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Ep 71 - The Parts We Couldn't Script
SALT 2026 is over. And now we can finally talk about what actually happened. In this recap episode, Katelyn and JoeAngel pull back the curtain on conference week - the moments that almost didn't work, the ones that couldn't have been scripted, and at least one story that started with 11 people...
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Ep 70 - Don't Show Up Late: Your SALT 2026 First Day Guide
Everything you need to know before you walk through the doors at SALT 2026. Katelyn, Joe Angel, and the team break down your first day from the moment you leave home to the moment the opening session begins - registration times by ticket type, what to do with your luggage, why you should arrive...
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Ep 69 - Obsidian Onyx Pixel Mapping and Cue Blender for Church Lighting
Most church lighting operators run the same handful of looks every Sunday - usually off one or two faders, hoping nobody notices. In this episode, David Henry - lighting educator with over 60,000 YouTube subscribers - walks through two of the most underused features inside the Obsidian Onyx…
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Ep 68 - More Art. More Presence. More SALT 2026.
Three weeks out from SALT 2026 and a key crew member just dropped out. Luke, Katelyn, and founding team member Joe Angel sit down to talk about what really happens behind the scenes of a conference - the moments that shake you and remind you that none of this was yours to control anyway. They…
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Ep 67 - How to Protect Your Team From Unclear Expectations
Most team conflict isn't a people problem - it's a clarity problem. In this episode, Madi Weubben - Promotions Director at Brentwood Baptist - shares the practical protections every leader should build into the front end of a project to prevent unclear expectations from becoming team blowups.…
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Ep 66 - 3x Grammy Winner Dwan Hill on Why the Choir Changes Everything
Dwan Hill grew up between two worlds - Birkenstocks and FUBU, a rock blues tour with Jonny Lang and a gospel stage with CeCe Winans. For years he felt like the one thing that wasn't like the others. In this episode, pulled from the SALT Conference main stage, the 3x Grammy winner, 2x Dove Award...
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Ep 65 - Yamaha DM7: Channel Strip, Routing, and Gain Structure for Church Audio
Most volunteers know how to push faders. Very few get taught how to actually route and process a channel - and that gap is the difference between a mix that works and a mix that moves people. In this bonus episode, Jeremy Van Valkenberg - formerly of Transformation Church, now leading production…
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Ep 64 - What Your Church Website Is Telling First-Time Visitors
Most church websites are built backwards. They look great but send visitors in circles - no clear location, confusing navigation, and zero strategy for moving someone from curious to connected. In this episode, Luke and Katelyn pull from one of SALT's conference workshops on UX, UI, and web...
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Ep 63 - Six Questions to Diagnose Your Week as a Creative Leader
If you opened last week's calendar right now, would it reflect what you say matters most? In this bonus episode, Phil Bowdle - creative arts pastor and ministry coach - walks through six diagnostic questions designed to expose what's actually happening in your week before you try to fix any of…
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Ep 62 - A DreamWorks Exec Explains Why Your Church Loses People
Rick Rekedal spent decades at DreamWorks Animation helping build some of the most beloved franchises in entertainment history - How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda, Trolls. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on one of the most talked-about masterclasses from the SALT Conference: Rick's...
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Ep 61 - Handheld Camera Technique for Live Worship Broadcast
Chad Vegas - former film director at Transformation Church, now with Sony - breaks down the exact framework he used to train camera operators at Bethel, Transformation, and beyond. In this bonus episode pulled from the SALT Community course library, Chad walks through his Chad Sandbox: seven…
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EP 60 - Stop Losing New Visitors After Sunday
Brady Sticker, founder of Church Candy, introduced a framework that stopped Luke and Katelyn mid-conversation - and this episode picks up right where that left off. If 8 out of 10 first-time visitors never come back to your church, the problem probably isn't your Sunday service. It's everything...
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Ep 59 - What a Worship Leader's First Responsibility Actually Is
Most worship leaders would say their first responsibility is to lead the congregation. David Dennis - worship leader and staff culture architect at The Belonging Co. in Nashville - says that's exactly backwards. In this episode, we pull a full lesson from his course inside SALT Community where he...
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EP 58 - Your Church Has Stopped Innovating
Two church tech directors. Shared parking lot. Never met. That story alone says everything about where the church production world is right now. Toby Walters - founder of Church Gear and author of Sacred Spaces, Modern Production - sits down with Luke to talk about why churches have largely…
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Ep 57 - How Church Creatives Stay Inspired Long Term
Most church creatives won't admit it out loud - but there are days when the work feels like anything but a calling. The deadlines pile up, the revisions feel endless, and somewhere between the last sermon series and the next one, the inspiration quietly disappeared. In this episode, Carrie…
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Ep 56 - Who Is the Church Actually For?
17% of Americans say they have zero friends. 56% of unchurched people say they'd come to church if someone they knew just invited them. So why aren't we asking? Luke and Katelyn unpack a conversation with Miles McPherson - senior pastor of Rock Church San Diego and former NFL player - about what…
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Ep 55 - Why Some Church Creative Teams Move and Others Spin
Every church creative team has talent. So why do some teams execute consistently and others stay stuck in the same loop week after week? In this bonus episode, Darrel Girardier - Executive Director of Ministry at Brentwood Baptist - breaks down the four types of creatives that show up on every...
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Ep 54 - Accountability Is Not Church Hurt , But How Do You Tell The Difference?
Accountability and church hurt are not the same thing - but in a culture that has blurred the line between the two, how do you actually tell the difference? Luke and Katelyn sit down to unpack a conversation with author and speaker Natalie Runion, digging into what healthy accountability…
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EP 53 - AI Tools for Church Creative Teams: Image, Audio, and Video
AI tools can now generate a finished image, a voiceover, or a full music bed in under a minute. But knowing how to use them without losing your creative judgment is a different skill entirely. In this bonus episode, creative director and AI coach Brad Zimmerman walks through his real-world…
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EP 52 - You've Baptized Your Preference and Called It Your Calling
Wade Joye spent nearly 15 years as the worship pastor at Elevation Church - one of the most prolific worship environments in the world. In this conversation, he shares the moment Pastor Steven Furtick told him directly that he had a lid on his gifting, and that his real calling wasn't to be a...
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Ep 51 - Why High Performing Church Teams Handle Failure Differently
Most church leaders have said it at some point: "Failure is not an option." Leadership coach Dr. Andrew Johnston - who has worked with Apple, Walgreens, and the Salvation Army - argues that phrase might be the most damaging thing you can say to a creative team. In this bonus episode, he unpacks...
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EP 50 - The Church Traded Cathedrals for Hospitals
What if beauty isn't the last thing you add to your church - it's the first? In this episode, Luke and Katelyn sit down to unpack a conversation with Cass Langton, former creative director at Hillsong, about what the church loses when it trades transcendence for function. From a songbird carved...
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BONUS: The SALT Tech Talk
In this bonus episode, Luke sits down with John Mark Clark and Davi Lema from Orange Thread Live for a roundtable on the standout tech they encountered at InfoComm this year. From AI-driven audio cleanup tools that strip out everything but a clean vocal signal, to a transparent LED wall that…
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Ep 49 - Is Your Staff Busy or Truly Effective?
Darrel Girardier, Executive Director of Ministry Resources at Brentwood Baptist Church, joins the podcast for a candid conversation about one of the most uncomfortable questions in church leadership: how do you actually measure whether your staff is effective, not just busy? From leading…
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Ep 48 - The Skill That Makes You Unstoppable in the Age of AI
AI is advancing faster than most of us can keep up with, but this episode makes the case that your creative instincts and eye for excellence are more valuable now than ever. Luke and Katelyn break down why the one thing AI can't replace is your ability to define and articulate quality, and how...
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Ep 47 - Are You a Download, Discipline, or Discovery Creative Type?
Australian singer and worship leader Bella Taylor Smith - who gained recognition on The Voice Australia and led worship at SALT 2025 - sits down to talk about what it's really like to write songs when you feel spiritually dry, how to navigate creative collaboration, and the 3 D's that shape her...
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Ep 46 - Should Your Church Hire Non-Christians? (ft. I Can Only Imagine 2 Director)
Andy Erwin, director of I Can Only Imagine 2, joins the podcast for a behind-the-scenes conversation about what it takes to make a sequel better than the original — including filming at Red Rocks with only 6 hours and 8,500 fans. But the conversation goes deeper than filmmaking: Andy shares why…
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Ep 45 - You're the Problem: The Real Reason Your Sundays Fall Flat
In this behind-the-scenes episode, our host Luke McElroy sits down with SALT Conference's professional MC Joseph "Sojo" Sojourner (known from Dude Perfect) and producer Seth Bartlett to pull back the curtain on how one of the most creatively ambitious ministry conferences gets made. They dive…
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Ep 44 - Excellence Over Perfection: Lessons from Disney's Voice Experts
In this episode, we dive into how Disney's voice experts craft dialogue with precision and emotion, showing that excellence lands far before perfection. We explore the neuroscience behind why tone impacts audiences in milliseconds, and how churches, teams, and leaders can apply these lessons to...
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EP 43 - It's Up to Me to Decide
In this episode with Gary Molander, we explore what actually protects (or kills) creativity inside teams. From being careful who you invite into early dreaming stages to understanding psychological safety, clarity, and when critique should enter the room, this conversation unpacks how healthy...
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Ep 42 - The Pains of Hiring with Dr. J
In this episode, Dr. Andrew Johnston joins the conversation to unpack one of the most pressure-filled responsibilities of leadership: hiring. He challenges leaders with a simple but powerful principle, "Prefer the pain of an open position to the pain of a bad hire." When teams are stretched thin,...
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EP 41 - Why Church Training Falls Apart
Training for creative teams is hard, but it doesn't have to be. In this episode, we talk about the next chapter for SALT Community and why it will be a game-changer for you and your team. Luke shares the origin story of SALT—not as a conference, but as a conviction about creativity, formation…
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BONUS - SALT 2025: Behind the Curtain – What You Need to Know Before You Arrive
In this special episode of The Monochrome Podcast, Katelyn, Luke, and JoeAngel pull back the curtain on SALT 2025. From this year's theme to behind-the-scenes planning, they'll walk you through what to expect, how to prepare, and a few insider details to make your experience unforgettable. If...
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BONUS: Navigating Unpredictable Waters in Building Projects
In this Bonus Episode of The Monochrome Podcast, we're diving into the wild world of church construction, tariffs, budgets, and making the most of unexpected challenges. Luke is joined by Zach Carringer and Josh Auman, leaders with deep experience in church systems design, to talk about how to…
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EP 38 - The State of Christian Media with Troy Miller (CEO of NRB)
For our Season 2 Finale, we're joined by Troy A. Miller, President & CEO of NRB and NRBTV, for a timely conversation on the future of Christian media. Troy unpacks insights from the latest Barna + NRB study and shares what's shifting in the Christian communications landscape from how Americans...
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EP 37 - Worship, Mental Health and Classical Music with Maryanne George
In this episode of The Monochrome Podcast, we're joined by worship leader and songwriter Maryanne George for a beautiful and honest conversation about creativity, calling, and the personal side of worship leadership. Known for her work with Maverick City Music and her solo projects, Maryanne…
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EP 36 - Movie Logistics Masterclass with Jason Stafford
In this episode of The Monochrome Podcast, we go behind the scenes with Jason Stafford, a seasoned First Assistant Director who has worked on major Christian films. From tight schedules to large crews, Jason breaks down the logistics of movie-making and why every second on set counts. If you've...
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EP 35 - Invest in Your Teams with Sarah Benibo
In this episode of The Monochrome Podcast, we're joined by powerhouse vocalist, worship leader, and creative leader Sarah Benibo. After leading a standing-room-packed workshop at SALT, Sarah sat down with us to talk about what it means to pour into your team, raise up others, and stay grounded in...
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EP 34 - Online Church is Not the Answer with Jay Kranda (Saddleback)
In this episode of The Monochrome Podcast, we sit down with Jay Kranda - Innovative Tech Pastor at Saddleback Church and author of Online Church is Not the Answer - to explore what online church can do, what it can't do, and how to use it wisely in today's ministry landscape. Jay brings years of...
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EP 33 - Doer to Leader with Warren Davis (Life.Church)
In this episode of The Monochrome Podcast, we sit down with Warren Davis, Central Team Leader of Broadcast Support at Life.Church, to talk about his journey from doer to leading teams. From humble beginnings to overseeing large-scale broadcast operations, Warren shares the lessons he's learned...
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EP 32 - You Have All You Need with SALT Worship Team
In this special episode of The Monochrome Podcast, we sit down with four of the worship leaders behind the 2024 SALT Worship Team — MaryAnne George, Lauren Sloat, Terryl Padilla, and Kierre Bjorn — for an encouraging conversation about identity, leadership, and the heart behind worship. We talk...
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EP 31 - Church People are Crazy, but I Still Love Jesus with Natalie Runion
In this episode of The Monochrome Podcast, we sit down with author and ministry leader Natalie Runion, the voice behind Raised to Stay, for an honest conversation about staying rooted in Jesus, even when church hurt makes it hard. If you've ever struggled with disappointment, burnout, or unmet...
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EP 30 - The Journey Matters More with Meredith Andrews
In this episode of The Monochrome Podcast, we sit down with Meredith Andrews—award-winning worship leader, songwriter, and creative voice in the church—for a powerful conversation on identity, calling, and why the journey matters more than the destination. Meredith opens up about what it means to...
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EP 29 - Prioritizing Family Over Ministry with Samer Massad
In this episode of The Monochrome Podcast, we explore the tension between leadership and family, ministry and rest. Samer Massad, Lead Pastor at Woodstock City Church, sits down with Luke to share his heart on leading from a place of health and how to model the life God has called us…
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EP 28 - The Video Over IP Revolution with Will Chapman
In this episode of The Monochrome Podcast, we explore the shift toward Video and what it means for the future of church broadcasting. Our guest, Will Chapman—Online Pastor at Cottonwood Creek Church and writer for Church Production Magazine—joins Keith for a conversation on the benefits,...
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EP 27 - Worship Starts in the Home with Adam and Robbie (Worship Initiative)
In this episode of The Monochrome Podcast, we talk about what it really means to lead worship beyond the stage. JT from the SALT team sits down with Robbie Seay from The Worship Initiative and Adam Westlake, a prolific songwriter and producer, to explore the role of mentorship, family rhythms…
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EP 26 - You Are Called to do This with JT Burg (Life.Chuch)
In this episode of The Monochrome Podcast, we talk about the tension of creative calling, what it's really like working at Life.Church, and how to build a sustainable creative rhythm. Plus, we catch up with SALT speaker, designer, and animator JT Burg for a candid conversation on team dynamics,...
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EP 25 - The Digital Engagement Pathway at Traders Point with Allie Bryant
In this episode of The Monochrome Podcast, we explore how to create meaningful digital engagement with Allie Bryant, Strategic Alignment Executive at Traders Point Christian Church. We also discuss why "It's Cool to Care" in today's culture and break down the latest SALT News about Microsoft's...
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EP 24 - Meet the Deeply Felt Need with Rick Rekedal
In this episode of The Monochrome Podcast, we sit down with Rick Rekedal, former VP at DreamWorks and creative force behind iconic projects like Trolls, Prince of Egypt, and How to Train Your Dragon. Rick shares his insights on storytelling, creativity, and meeting the deeply felt needs of your...
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EP 23 - The Perfect Shot with Darius Carter
In this episode of The Monochrome Podcast, we gear up for Easter with practical tips and insights! We discuss why story matters more than gear in creative production and share a helpful workshop to elevate your Easter services. Plus, we sit down with Darius L. Carter, the photographer behind...
About this show
Welcome to the Monochrome Podcast, a feel-good, lighthearted podcast from the SALT Community that brings together creatives and techs who serve in their local church. If you're the one who's always standing behind the curtain, pushing faders at the booth, re-exporting that design file, or wearing black like it's your job (because it kinda is), this podcast is for you. Along with a few friends and experts, the SALT team takes on challenges facing the everyday church creative by providing fun insights and advice to help you through it. Looking for more? Check us out: SALT Community (https://saltcommunity.com/)SALT Conference (https://www.salt2024.com/)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/salt_community/)TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@thesaltcommunity)Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/theSALTCommunity
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SALT Community
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