MEET YOUR GUIDES:

I'm Phil Russell

I spent decades where leadership meant action, not words. As a law enforcement commander, I made decisions with critical consequences. Now, with a PhD in Leadership Studies, I help other leaders do the same—cut through doubt, stand firm, and lead with conviction.

I learned leadership from one of the best—Bob Russell. John Maxwell called him “a leader of leaders.” I call him Dad. He taught me leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about grit, boldness, and doing what’s right—no matter the cost.

Leadership isn’t theory. It’s battle. If you’re leading in uncertain times, if you’re standing for truth when others won’t, if you refuse to sit on the sidelines—I’m here to help you do it well.

I'm Shane Sooter

I've enjoyed a 25 year career at the intersection of leadership, creativity, faith, and the marketplace - and I'm not done yet! I started as the Creative Arts Director at Southeast Christian Church, pioneering short films and large-scale theatrical productions.

After that, I founded City on a Hill Productions, a nonprofit production company creating cinematic Christian media for churches, television, and even the big screen -  where I spent a decade casting vision, leading teams, and launching products. 

For the past 13 years I've helmed Rare Bird Productions, where I've written, directed, or produced well over 100 episodes of television in multiple genres, as well as providing fractional CCO services for a number of organizations. Today, my deepest passion is helping Christian leaders to harness the power of vision, storytelling, and prolific creativity - so they can captivate hearts, elevate their message, and lead with bold clarity in a noisy world.

With Special Guest Bob Russell

At age 22, Bob Russell became the pastor of Southeast Christian Church—a small congregation of 120 meeting in a house basement on the east side of Louisville, Kentucky. Forty years later, when he retired in 2006, Southeast had grown into one of the largest churches in America, with weekly attendance in the tens of thousands. Bob’s lifelong leadership journey is a masterclass in vision, faithfulness, and organizational growth grounded in biblical conviction.

While Bob is best known for mentoring pastors, his influence reaches far beyond the church. Over the past 5 decades, he has served as a personal mentor to countless Christian entrepreneurs, business executives, and marketplace leaders—equipping them to integrate their faith into their leadership with wisdom, courage, and clarity. He has hosted numerous retreats specifically for Christian business leaders, teaching many of the same principles we’ll explore in this cohort.

Bob is passionate about raising up the next generation of Christ-centered leaders in every sphere—and he’s thrilled to be a recurring contributor to this unique and timely cohort.

"Business leaders... the influence you carry is enormous—and so are the challenges. You face daily pressure to perform, decide, build, and lead. But you were never meant to do it alone.

You don’t just need another leadership book or business podcast—helpful as those can be. You need a circle of peers who share your values. A long-term community where iron sharpens iron, and where faith isn’t sidelined—it’s central. That’s why I believe so strongly in the Faithful Leader Cohort.

I’ve had the privilege of mentoring many of you—entrepreneurs, CEOs, executives—and I know what’s in you: a deep desire to honor God through your leadership, to make an impact that lasts, and to live with integrity in every sphere of life.

I believe in Phil and Shane. And I believe this cohort could be the breakthrough moment you’ve been waiting for. I'll see you there!"

-Bob Russell