Podcasts about Stadia

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're joined by Todd Wilson, co-founder of Exponential and a leader at Multipliers, where he helps churches and ministry leaders pursue multiplication and greater Kingdom impact. Todd has spent decades studying church planting, disciple-making, and movements, and his latest book, How Did We Get Here? Looking Back to Look Forward, explores the evolution of the American church growth movement and what it may mean for the future. Are churches working harder while reaching fewer people? Have our systems become better at producing activity than disciples? Todd challenges leaders to examine the operating system beneath modern church ministry and consider what needs to change if we want to see true reproduction and multiplication. We have a disciple-making problem. // For years, Todd has championed the goal of seeing more churches reproduce. Research once showed that fewer than 5% of U.S. churches were reproducing, and while that number has improved, multiplication remains rare. But Todd believes church planting is ultimately an outcome of a deeper issue: most churches do not have a functional culture of disciple-making. If disciples aren’t reproducing disciples, churches will struggle to reproduce churches. Reproduction has to become generational. // Multiplication begins when reproduction continues beyond the first generation. One disciple makes another disciple, who then makes another, and the process keeps going. The same is true with churches. A church plants a church, which plants another church, which plants another. Once reproduction moves across multiple generations, addition becomes multiplication and the potential for movement begins to emerge. The church growth system has slowly changed. // Todd’s research traces roughly 75 years of church growth history, beginning with missionary Donald McGavran. McGavran originally studied why some churches on the mission field grew while others did not and developed principles aimed at helping missionaries reach more people. Over time, those ideas moved into the American church and blended with seeker-sensitive ministry, the megachurch movement, purpose-driven strategies, multisite, church planting networks, and other innovations. Much good came from these eras, but Todd believes the system gradually shifted toward institutional and programmatic growth. Good intentions can still create the wrong outcomes. // Todd is careful not to blame previous generations of church leaders. Many of the people who shaped modern church ministry were deeply evangelistic and sincerely wanted to reach people. Yet over time, the dominant definition of success increasingly became bigger attendance, larger programs, and expanding organizations. The unintended result is a consumer-driven model that can attract people effectively but struggles to produce disciples who reproduce. The angst leaders feel is real. // Todd hears a growing frustration among pastors: churches are spending more money, employing more staff, and working harder while seeing less fruit. Even churches that appear successful can sense something isn’t right beneath the surface. Todd believes much of that angst comes from trying to produce multiplication through an operating system designed primarily for addition. Naming the problem is an important first step toward changing it. Leaders must model what they want reproduced. // Todd believes transformation has to begin with senior leaders. If disciple-making is going to become the church’s growth engine, lead pastors and elders must personally participate in a simple, reproducible disciple-making process. Rather than merely preaching about discipleship, pastors should be able to name the people they are actively discipling and allow those relationships to shape the way they lead and teach. Keep the process simple and reproducible. // Whatever model a church chooses, Todd believes it must be simple enough for anyone to reproduce. The goal isn’t another sophisticated program but a way of following Jesus that can move naturally from person to person. The same approach should work for a lead pastor, a volunteer, or even a teenager. Simplicity increases the possibility of multiplication. Give the next generation permission to experiment. // Todd isn’t calling churches to abandon everything they’ve inherited. Instead, he encourages leaders to learn from the past, retain what is fruitful, and recognize that the current operating system may be losing effectiveness. Churches should create space for younger leaders to experiment, learn, and discover more reproducible approaches to disciple-making without being forced to preserve every assumption of previous generations. To learn more about Todd Wilson, visit multipliers.org. You can also download a free PDF or audio version of How Did We Get Here? Looking Back to Look Forward at church-growth.org or pick up a paper copy on Amazon.com. In addition, check out Todd Wilson’s conversation with Carey Nieuwhof, and the interview A Simple & Scalable Way to Reproduce Christians with David Putnam. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Lastly, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Portable Church Your church is doing really well right now, and your leadership team is looking for solutions to keep momentum going! It could be time to start a new location. Maybe you have hesitated in the past few years, but you know it's time to step out in faith again and launch that next location. Portable Church has assembled a bundle of resources to help you leverage your growing momentum into a new location by sending a part of your congregation back to their neighborhood on Mission. This bundle of resources will give you a step-by-step plan to launch that new or next location, and a 5 minute readiness tool that will help you know your church is ready to do it! Click here to watch the free webinar “Launch a New Location in 150 Days or Less” and grab the bundle of resources for your church! Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. I am so glad that you have tuned in today for this reason, friends, lean in. um I want you to be a part of the conversation that we’re having today. The leader that we’ve got on the phone, on the I don’t know why say the phone because we have not been on phones for podcasts in, you know, 10 years, but on the line is really pressing on an issue that I know that a large portion, you know, almost 90 percent of the churches in the country need to be doing what we’re talking about today. And they’re not. And I really want you to lean in and learn from Todd Wilson. Rich Birch — If you do not know Todd Wilson, he has been the founding and co-founding member of a number of faith-based organizations, including Exponential and Multipliers. He has designed a number, and been a part of the launch of a multiple of national church planting networks. He’s currently a team member, or team leader at Multipliers and serves leaders and ministries who are pursuing multiplication, helping them develop vision and strategy ultimately for a 100 X impact. You know that I love that. Rich Birch — Recently, he wrote a book that caught my attention that I want to dive in on and kind of um unpack some of the core lessons for us today. It’s called, How Did We Get Here? Looking Back to Look Forward. And it’s really looking at the whole conversation, American church growth movement. Todd, welcome to the podcast. So glad you’re here.Todd Wilson — Rich, it’s great to be here with you. I’m really looking forward to this conversation.Rich Birch — Yeah, me too. So why don’t we start with kind of giving us a picture of Multipliers and the work that you’re focused on now, kind of set the context for us.Todd Wilson — Sure. It’s probably good to have the context, you know, at at my core, my own personal calling. I am an entrepreneurial engineer at my core. I love to envision, envisage opportunities, seek strategies and opportunities of the future. And so where I like to do it anywhere, there’s potential for a hundred X kingdom impact. And that’s what gets me in trouble often is the, wherever there’s potential for a hundred X kingdom impact.Todd Wilson — When I came out of the marketplace over 25 years ago into full-time ministry, the most natural hundred X place for me, in addition to being in the local church was, was church planting. I was just drawn to church planting. I got to spend almost 20 years, ah you know, leading Exponential and co-founding there.Todd Wilson — And in recent years, really trying to get even more focused really on the 100x impact. I want to spend my next decade as I’m getting older here, you know, what’s it look like for every hour, for every dollar, for every bit of energy, to see 100x return.Todd Wilson — And so the idea of Multipliers, and it’s a small team of us that, you know, we have a definite bias within the kingdom space to the disciple-making as the mission and engine of the church. And what’s it look like to get back to Jesus style disciple making. But then church planting and multiplication, what does it look like to be doing things that that are even capable of reproduction that can lead to multiplication and ultimately movement. So our goal is to just help champion at the personal level through personal calling, at the church level through disciple making and cultures of disciple making that can ultimately produce movements.Todd Wilson — And so we are a champion and advocate for that.Rich Birch — That’s fantastic. You and I are are similarly wired. And over the years, you know I’ve heard people talk about, you know, and they always they’ll do like a series at a church on spiritual gifts. And I’ve often wondered because of the kinds of things I’ve been involved in, if, you know, if I have some sort of apostolic gift, just because of the stuff I found myself doing and, you know, launching campuses and all that.Rich Birch — And it’s interesting that gift over the years I’ve heard, which is similar to the kind of work you’ve been doing over the years is the only gift that I’ve ever noticed that preachers, they seem to talk down about it. And they’re like, stop starting things like, you know, they’re like, they always, you know, are like on the negative side of, you know, being the guy who wants to be entrepreneurial and see new things.Rich Birch — And that’s a part of what I admire about you and the good work you’ve done. When you were at Exponential over those, you know, with you that you co-founded, you know, that almost 20 years, you know, they had this, they saw some amazing things happen there under your leadership, where this idea of moving church reproduction from under 5%, really trying to push us towards 16%.Rich Birch — So for people that are unaware of this, I think this is good context to kind of take a step back and talk about why that number, why are we actually, why are you giving decades of your life towards this idea of trying to move towards 16%? What do we mean by that when you you know talk about that? Because I think that’s a good foundational idea for today’s conversation.Todd Wilson — Yeah. I think it’s important it to understand, again, context for me. I didn’t grow up a Christian. I never had a dream to be in full-time vocational ministry. I’ve never wanted to be a lead pastor of anything. You know, ministry was the farthest thing from my mind growing up. When you’re asking kids, what do you want do when you grow up? Todd Wilson — So when God brought me into full-time vocational ministry, and I’m going to say kicking and screaming, I wanted to go start a company. I wanted to go make money. I wanted to go change the world. And so coming into full-time vocational ministry, why in the world would I want to see anything except movements happening? Rich Birch — That’s good.Todd Wilson — We read about movements in the New Testament. Why do I want to be personally satisfied if God’s calling me into a new life of ministry with anything less than seeing movements?Todd Wilson — And so that was my context of stepping in and and leading at Exponential and what was driving us. And your question from 5% to 16%. Well, Houston, we have a problem.Todd Wilson — If movements are multiplication, and multiplication is generational reproduction, and we, at the time we were starting Exponential, there were less than 5% of U.S. churches were reproducing. You just got to let that sink in.Rich Birch — Yeah.Todd Wilson — 95% of churches just 25 years ago, 95% of churches in the U.S. are not reproducing. It’s physically impossible, both mathematically and biblically, to see multiplication and ultimately movements if less than 5% of churches are reproducing.Todd Wilson — So the answer to where’s the 5 to 16, for me personally, God’s called me into a new life and a new ministry. I don’t want to be satisfied with just status quo, but the state of the U.S. church is such that we physically can’t see 100x impact in the operating system of how things are working. Todd Wilson — So the 5 to 16 was very simple. Let’s measure where we’re at. And so the 16% sociologists say that if you can get 16% of an audience acting a certain way, behaving a certain way, it will become normative for everyone else. I like to say, if you’re in a room and you start quacking like a duck to talk, if you can get 16% of the people in the audience quacking like a duck, then everybody’s going to communicate by quacking like a duck.Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — And so it just became a conviction. Let’s move the needle from less than 5% to 16%. And then the language we would use is, at 16%, healthy church reproduction would become such a normative thing that we would see multiplication happening.Todd Wilson — Now, the little bit of an elephant in the room before we move on, church planting is just the outcome. So that 5% number, it’s an outcome of the system and what’s happening.Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — The more ornery number is that the national studies that we did on what percentage of U.S. churches have a disciple-making culture. That’s also less than 5%.Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — So 95% of churches don’t have a functional mission of disciple-making, and that’s their normative growth engine through disciple-making. So in reality, we have a disciple-making problem, not a church-planting problem. And so those two became very tied together, as as will become evident as we have this interview.Rich Birch — Yeah, absolutely. and And just can you define generational reproduction for folks that are listening in? When you when you when you say that, like, hey, we’re trying to move churches towards generational reproduction, kind of just unpack that a little bit more.Todd Wilson — Yeah, let’s let’s start at the personal level of disciple-making. If one person makes a disciple of another person, you’ve got one generation. If that person goes on to make another disciple two generations, that person makes a disciple three generations. We see that biblically. We see that in the leadership pipeline with Paul, that you know we need to see disciples who make disciples who make disciples.Todd Wilson — Once you get to the third or fourth generation of something reproducing itself, if you drew that on paper, one becomes two, two becomes four, four becomes eight, eight becomes 16. That is an exponential or a multiplication curve. So all you have to do to go from addition to multiplication is have healthy reproduction broad and wide multiple generations into the future.Todd Wilson — Now we just take that to the church level, a church that plants a church that plants a church that plants a church broad and wide.Todd Wilson — Now you’ve gone from one church to 16 churches. And now look at the collective attendance of those 16 churches. That’s what you call healthy growth. That’s what you call multiplication when you keep reproducing it over and over.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. And there’s actually been progress against this. This is one of the things that I’ve loved as a person just sitting on the outside looking in as you and the team, you know, Dave and the broader Exponential community have really been hammering away at this. You know, we’re not at 16% yet, but we’re seeing progress, which is which is amazing.Todd Wilson — Right. It’s in the studies that we did, and it’s been repeated a couple of times, the needle has moved to at least 7%. That may not sound like a lot, but if you go take the number of churches we’re talking about…Rich Birch — Yes.Todd Wilson — …and that needle moving from less than 5% to 7%. And we’re not taking credit for all that at Exponential. Rich Birch — Right. Todd Wilson — We’re getting to ride a wave that really started around 2000. Prior to 2000, denominations planted churches, not really churches or networks. We saw the birth of networks around 2000 in the U.S. It’s hard for people to realize, but like in the church planting world, groups like City to City and GlocalNet and Acts 29 and ARC and Church Multiplication Network and Stadia and New Thing Network, none of them existed.Rich Birch — Right. Right.Todd Wilson — Literally in a five-year time period, we saw the birth of all these church planting networks, and that happened to coincide with that we saw that need to start Exponential to serve those networks.Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — So We we were a little bit the right group at the right place, advocating for the right thing.Todd Wilson — And I do think that generally the the wonderful thing is that as that needle is starting to move and the visibility is getting more and more, the next generation wants it. Rich Birch — Yes. Yeah, I would agree.Todd Wilson — They want the scorecard of that. So I feel very optimistic that we’re still a ways away from 16%, but the needle is moving in the right direction.Rich Birch — Yeah, I would echo that too. I think there is, um you know, one of the couple years ago, I had one of those ages in my life flip over with zero on the end that you kind of notice and you reflect back on life a little bit. And I would say one of the things I’ve noticed over, you know, almost 30 years of ministry is this issue is has become more normative. Like it’s it’s a part of the conversation. It’s not that everyone’s doing it, but it’s in the dialogue, which I think is is wonderful.Rich Birch — Well, I, so you know, there’s, you interact with a lot of church leaders across the country. You interact with a lot of people, you have a pulse on a lot of, you know, what’s going on. And there’s a growing sense, you have flagged that there’s a growing sense among leaders that there’s just something wrong. It’s like, you know, there’s like a stink in the bottom of our, our, garbage that’s like, oh it’s a little bit stinky. It’s not like overwhelming, but we can’t put our finger on exactly what that is. Rich Birch — They can’t necessarily name it, but we feel it. We kind of see that there’s maybe something in the way we’re doing what we’re doing that isn’t working. What are you hearing as you sit across the table from church leaders in across the country, you know, around all of these things that we’re talking about?Todd Wilson — Let me describe it a couple of different ways. I think the the word I would put on it is an angst. I think if you look at the definition of an angst, there’s a there’s a growing and an underlying angst. um I’m going to say, if I’m descriptive of the angst, that might not be the way people would exactly say it but it’s how I translate what I’m hearing.Todd Wilson — We are working a lot harder to reach less people and we don’t like the cultural Christian product we’re getting. We’re working a lot harder. We’re spending more money to reach fewer people. And we’re just having this angst that the product we’re producing is a little bit too much consumer cultural Christian as we’re working harder and spending more money. And that leaves somebody full time, know, if I mean, if you’re a full time vocational pastor, there’s an angst that sits in the middle of that dynamic going on. Todd Wilson — My mentor and friend, Robert Lewis, who led Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock for years, Robert’s handed off the leadership back in 2005. Robert describes it this way. He did the foreword on my recent book, and when he read and reviewed the book, he said, Todd, oh my goodness, this is first and foremost a walk down history lane. It’s like going back and looking at history. Todd Wilson — But he said, here’s the thing. I had this angst in 2005. Everything was up and to the right. We were growing. We were doing new campuses. We had started a church planting. Like we’re doing all of the stuff. People are turning to us. They’re looking at what we’re doing. We had started a leadership conference. And I just had this angst that something wasn’t right.Todd Wilson — And he said, I couldn’t name it. He said, I needed a therapist. But where does a megachurch pastor who’s having nothing but success with up and to the right, who’s feeling angst about the system, where do you go for therapy in that? He’s like, I didn’t know whether to feel like I was being ungrateful or what.Todd Wilson — And his words were, as you’ve traced the 75 years of the church growth movement and its evolution into a consumer-driven operating system, you have named my angst. I wish I would have had this book in 2005 to name my angst because half the battle is getting our hands around understanding why we’re feeling the way we do.Rich Birch — Yeah, I was talking to denominational leader within the last year to kind of add a bit more flavor even to that angst, who was saying, and this is a fantastic denomination, you know, Jesus loving, you know, fantastic group of people um and have, you know, very similar what you’re saying, like lots of good things going on.Rich Birch — And this was one of those like, After dinner conversations, you know, long ah a long ways away from a bunch of leaders, we were just chatting on the sideline. And he said, you know, the interesting thing, when you look at our tribe, his movement, he rattled off all their stats. We have a certain number of churches. We have a certain number of pastors. We have a certain number of, you know, baptisms every year. It rattles all that off.Rich Birch — And he said, you know, if you were to look at where we were 20 years ago, the number of churches is the same, the number of, and rattled off all these stats that are the same. Like we’re baptizing the same number of people, the attendance is the same, the the like all these things. He said, the only thing that’s gone up in the last 20 years is we’ve doubled our staff head count. There’s twice as many staff today as there was. And when I read, heard about your book and you talk about this angst, I was like, ooh, that’s exactly what he was describing. He’s like, wait a second. what’s happening here. And him as a denominational leader, he had the same read, hey, there’s something wrong with the way we set this thing up. Rich Birch — So your book, let’s actually dive into a little bit. It starts really at 70 year arc from Donald McGavron from 1955, all the way to today. And so for a leader who’s never really stepped back and thought about the history of like, what, how did we get here? It’s the name of your book. Why does knowing what got us to where we are today, this kind of consumer operating system that you describe, why does, how does understanding that help us as we think about the future?Todd Wilson — It’s a really good question. And I’m not sure, honestly, that I when I, when I set out to write this book, that, that that was even driving me to begin with, but very quickly that became the, I realized that’s why I need to write this book.Todd Wilson — So let, let me explain. And I need to give you a little bit of background to explain, because it’s an important question.Rich Birch — Yep, yep, for sure.Todd Wilson — So when I think about the moment that, that I realized we had a problem. Like that that, okay, we’re on this trajectory, things are moving the right direction to the 16%, and I’m back in the leadership of Exponential now. And I’m realizing, oh my goodness, we really do have a problem. And here’s here was what that looked like. Todd Wilson — I believed we had started learning communities and we had very vibrant learning communities And our learning communities got started because we felt like we need to shift the paradigm of people’s measure of success in the scorecard of church. It was very much about we need to shift paradigm. Alan Hirsch was involved with this on how do we shift from just growing large things to growing decentralized things that saturate. And it was very much about scorecard.Todd Wilson — And if you think about it, we’re wanting to move the needle from 5% to 16%. That’s a scorecard thing. So our initiating event was scorecard. But as we got into these learning communities, which in my opinion were the best things we were doing at Exponential. I mean, they were six to eight month learning journeys and we would rock people’s paradigm.Todd Wilson — We really would. People would go through it and be like, Oh my goodness, I got to have a different view of success in the church.Rich Birch — Right. yeahTodd Wilson — And guess what? They’d go home and Sunday’s coming. Rich Birch — Right. Todd Wilson — There’s, services to run, there’s people to pastor, there’s things to do. And the aha moment for me came, Rich, when I realized the the whole definition of insanity, that if you just keep doing the same thing over and over and hope for a different outcome, but that’s insanity. And here I am trying to lead a national organization to see a change in scorecard to move the needle to 16%.Todd Wilson — And I remember the day that I realized we’re not going to get there with the operating system we have in place in church right now. This operating system is not capable of getting us to the 16% number.Todd Wilson — That was a personal crisis. I’m leading an organization that’s up and to the right that the needle is moving. But as a futurist, I’m realizing we’re not going to get where we need to be with the operating system in the church. So the the operating system part was what drove me to start writing this book. I’ll let you ask a question there, and then we’ll circle back to the how does it relate to understanding how we got here, though.Rich Birch — Yeah, so ah just to underline what you’re saying there, um you know in in other conversations, I’ve heard leaders say, you know it’s like, um you know what you know what you reach people with is what you end up keeping them with. And so if what I hear you saying, just putting, I think, other language around it, but correct me, is kind of a consumer-oriented or a consumer cultural operating system that we’ve we’ve used as a church… Todd Wilson — Right.Rich Birch — …you know, obviously by definition, if you ah use a um consumption-based model, that doesn’t, leave you it’s very difficult to turn around and say, okay, now become a multiplier. You know, we got you here as a consumer. Okay, now how do we make you a multiplier? Is that the core pain?Todd Wilson — It is. And Rich, you’re painting the picture of why looking back to understand how we got here is important. If it’s true, that are ah If it’s true, and I want to suggest people ought to go look at it for themselves, that the underlying operating system that has evolved over the last 75 years, it’s not where it started with Donald McGavern in 1955. And there was never bad intentions by any of the good people through the 70 years.Rich Birch — Yeah, right.Todd Wilson — We have evolved from what was originally one thing. into a consumer model that is way more focused on success is growing big, success is making converts, not necessarily disciples. And we we can diagnose that if there’s a problem today, and I suggest there is a problem today, then how we got here and understanding how over 70 years, what was intended to be one thing, gradually (like the frog getting boiled in cold water) turned into something else.Todd Wilson — We’ve got to go through the the, if we really want to change the operating system, and I’ve seen how hard it is, guys can have the paradigm shift. We need to change. Then they go back home into the operating system that they’re operating in. And it is really, really hard to just throw off one operating system and embrace another oneTodd Wilson — And I wouldn’t even encourage people to do that. Don’t go home and just change your operating system overnight. But if you do want to make thoughtful, progressive change, the best way to do it is to start by going back and learn the lesson of how did we get where we are?Rich Birch — Yeah.Todd Wilson — How did things get off track to where to where we are?Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good.Todd Wilson — And that’s what ended you know, I started out the book really to go after understanding the operating system itself. And very quickly came to the conclusion, oh, we I’m not sure how we’re going to move to a new operating system if people don’t go through the hard work of looking back and understanding how well-intentioned people over time have delivered for us what we have today in a flawed system.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. You know, I know, again, from my own personal experience, not to bring this back to me, but to my own personal experience, again, it’s been interesting to see similar patterns. You know, every couple years, there’s like some new idea that comes up in the church. And oftentimes I’m like, yeah, this is just like of rehash of a thing I saw 10 years ago or 15 years ago or 20 years ago.Rich Birch — It’s like, oh, this is is brand new. It’s like, ah, it’s echoes of things we’ve seen in the past. So why don’t we just kind of give people a flyover or a walkover of the kind of eras that you kind of define as you went through the book, just to give people a high level. Rich Birch — Ultimately friends, you know, I’m encouraging you to to do two things out of today. One is to pick up, I think this could be a great book for you and your team to go through. You and your leadership team, buy copies of this, read it. I think it could be an interesting book for you or, and go and listen to Todd’s interview with Carey as well. Carey just takes longer in his podcast and has more time. So there’s going to be, there’s lots packed into that as well. Rich Birch — But why don’t you kind of give us a flyover of the eras? And then maybe when you think about each one of those, something that was like, really positive that came from that area something like hey there’s something good there or maybe there’s something there that we’ve got to be cautious about as we think about the future.Todd Wilson — Yeah. And just to be clear, Rich, you know this, ah I’m a local church guy. My calling is a local church. I’m still on staff at a local church. I love the local church. So this part of the, difficulty for me in spending two years and over a hundred hours of interviews and putting this timeline of history together is I love the church.Todd Wilson — And I I, don’t know that I’d be sitting here talking to you if it weren’t for several of these eras I’m getting ready to name to you. So you’ve got really, I think a common thread through across these areas as we jump into them is typically apostolic, evangelistically driven leaders who really want to reach people. Hell is real. Lost people are going there. We got to reach them. And I think that’s the driving factor across all these eras is well-intentioned people…Todd Wilson — And if I can start with the end point, I think we’ve sort of co-opted the more holistic disciple-making growth engine that’s capable of generational disciple-making with strategies for institutional programmatic growth that are not capable of reproduction. They’re very good at growing large things and reaching lots of people, but not necessarily making, you know, through relational disciple making, disciples who make disciples who plant churches that plant churches.Todd Wilson — So here’s how I would do the flyover. When I got started writing this history, I thought I was doing one chapter of this history in another book. Rich Birch — I love it.Todd Wilson — And one chapter turned into two chapters and three chapters. And eventually my editor said, Todd, you just need to do a full book.Rich Birch — Well, that’s a book.Todd Wilson — And it ends up turning into the longest book I’ve written because of the 75 year history. And ah Rich, seriously, don’t, people don’t need to feel bad if they don’t know all the history. I, I’m like a where’s Waldo through a lot of this history. I’ve had a seat at the table for a lot of the stuff through these eras.Todd Wilson — Until writing this book, I did not know how all the dots connected across these eras. And then it became there were so many, oh, oh, oh. So here’s here’s the shot I’ll give to you. Ididn’t really I knew I had heard of Donald McGavern. I knew he was considered the father of the modern church growth movement. I’ve never, prior to writing this book, read about him, gone off and studied him. Gary McIntosh is his by is Donald McGavern’s biographer. So I spent a lot of time with Gary. He pointed me in the right directions.Todd Wilson — And here’s what I learned. Donald McGavern, born in the late 1800s, international missionary in India. um His father and mother were missionaries in India. He came from the mission field and his context was the international mission field. Todd Wilson — Now, get this as the starting point in 1955. He’s an international missionary. He has planted 15 churches himself in his career, none of which ever grew to more than 100 people. So you got to let that sink in. The father of the modern church growth movement planted 15 churches, none of which grew to more than 100. And yet he’s the father of what we consider now the modern church growth movement.Rich Birch — Right. Interesting.Todd Wilson — So the kind the context was, he became fascinated after reading a research report on why some churches in provinces in India were growing and others weren’t. Sometimes churches in the same village that were growing and just down the street, others weren’t.Todd Wilson — So he kind of took a scientific approach, the study of church growth. Like let’s study this like it’s a science, like what’s causing some churches to grow. And he he had very clear conclusions out of that, but you know, a handful of conclusions of what’s causing that.Todd Wilson — And so ultimately, when he came off the mission field by 1960, 61, he started the Church Growth Institute, not for U.S. pastors, but for international missionaries who were on furlough to come home and learn about church growth principles that they could take back to the international mission field. He had no interest in U.S. pastors. Todd Wilson — So for multiple years in the 60s, he was doing that. And when Fuller wanted to start their International School of World Missions, one of their best faculty member ratings was Donald McGavern. So they invited him to come become the founding dean of the the Fuller School of World Missions.Todd Wilson — But he only agreed to do it if he could bring the Church Growth Institute with him. So by 1970, you’ve got that up and running. He’s built his team. He invited a guy called C. Peter Wagner off the mission field to come be on his faculty staff. And in 1970, 71, Peter Wagner convinced Donald McGavern that they ought to run one class for U.S. pastors on church growth.Todd Wilson — And the rest is history. That one class, it just turned into, Imean, people were very interested in it. Denominations became interested. And literally within a couple of years, you’ve got this up and to the right people latching on to church growth science.Todd Wilson — And that starts the process, you know. Even from the beginning, you start to see a little bit of co-opting away from McGavern’s things. Not fast, but a little bit. Todd Wilson — So right on the heels of that, in the 70s then, you’ve got this young kid, ah Bill Hybels… Rich Birch — Right. Todd Wilson — …who’s running you know going to go into business and he’s running a street ministry with youth. He’s being mentored by Robert Shuler.Rich Birch — Yes.Todd Wilson — And Shuler’s got the possibility thinking, think outside the box, very apostolic. Turns out Shuler not only mentors Hybels, but there’s some mentoring of Rick Warren. And so you’ve got the birth of the seeker-sensitive era then.Todd Wilson — You know, if the first era was the McGavern-Roots era, now we’ve got the seeker-sensitive era. And, you know, that can be a positive or a negative stigma. For me, in 1976, I’m in middle school going into high school, not a Christian, live down the street from this movie theater called the Willow Creek Movie Theater. Rich Birch — Right. Right.Todd Wilson — And my mom drags us kicking and screaming into the Willow Creek Movie Theater. We were the avatar family for the Seeker Sensitive family movement.Rich Birch — Right. Movement.Todd Wilson — From Seeker Sensitive, you get out of that the what Peter Drucker and Bob Buford would call the large church phenomena and the birth of Leadership Network then with the large church phenomena, which became the megachurch phenomena.Todd Wilson — You’ve got Rick Warren and his masterful work with the purpose-driven church. Rick’s able to put handles on this church growth part, but Rick was a disciple of Donald McGavern, so he’s got the McGavern roots. Todd Wilson — You’ve got Hybels with the Shuler roots. And in that 80 into the 90s with the birth of the Global Leadership Summit and the other, you’ve you’ve got this very influential large church phenomena, purpose-driven, being shaped by, you know, in large part, the combination of Leadership Network, Hybels, Rick Warren… And that brings us up to you know about 2000. Todd Wilson — And just as a flyover, I would then call the era of the externally focused church. You’ve got the rapid fire birth of church planting networks. You’ve got multi-site. People don’t realize prior to 2000, there’s less than 50 multi-site churches.Rich Birch — Yeah.Todd Wilson — Leadership Network engages it in 2000. And from 2000 to 2010 you see an up, I mean, radically up and to the right.Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — The externally focused church, same thing. Rick Russo has book right in that time period. The missional guys, right in that time period. So the common theme between these church planning networks, the missional guys, the externally focused guys, the multi-site, is we’re now looking outside of ourselves.Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — But in large part, we’re still looking outside of ourselves as growth strategies for our things. If you really go look under the hood of a lot of those.Todd Wilson — And then I would say coming out of the externally or outwardly focused era, 2015 to 2025, I just have no other name than the disruption era. As I was doing the research on this book, um I had to stop at like 12 major disruptions that happened in that time period with COVID right in the middle. Rich Birch — Right. Todd Wilson — And so that’s the…Rich Birch — Political upheaval. There’s a bunch in there in that same, you know, yeah, that there’s been a schism.Todd Wilson — You’ve got deconstruction of faith.Rich Birch — Yep.Todd Wilson — You’ve got cynicism. You’ve got platformed individualism with the birth of social media. Now anybody can be their own, you know, playlist influencer. There’s just so many disruptive factors in there.Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — Now you look at all those disruptive factors with the evolution of what’s happening in the church and the church operating system. And it leaves us on a very shaky foundation at that point that, you know It kind of brings us up to where we are now, and you can either be a pessimist at that or an optimist. And I choose the optimist path that we’re poised for a new day and a new operating system is my prayer.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s amazing. And friends, as you can see, you just got a real thin slice of, you know, just all the various phases that you do such a great job unpacking for us to help us really understand how we we got here. It was It was wild, it’s wild thinking about a lot of that because I remember, you know, various phases of those over the last particularly 25 years, you know, seeing that up close and seeing, you know, kind of the impact that has had and then wondering about the future and where we go from here. Rich Birch — So thinking about the future and, you know, obviously you’ve, um you know, you’ve you’re making a clear clarion call around, hey, we’ve got to think differently than the consumer driven operating system. We’ve got to we’ve got to come up with something different. After all of that, um and we’ve kind of covered this already, but I’d love to make sure we kind of hone on this, have this resonate with people that are listening in. Why is it so difficult for that system, for the consumer-driven operating system to to really ultimately produce healthy reproduction and multiplication and in churches? What’s structurally ah broken about it? And what what would be some first steps we should be thinking about change to the future as we think about, okay, where we go from here? Todd Wilson — Yeah.Rich Birch — How do we, you know, build on the positive stuff, but also look for something different as we look to the future? Todd Wilson — Yeah. I think we don’t have to make it complex, Rich, if we just keep trying to come back to simplicity for a minute. Like the system that has evolved has actually become pretty complex when you think about it. I would say if we could just focus on, I’m not even going to say changing overnight, but if if I’m a lead pastor, if I’m on staff at a church, I’m really focused on disciple-making as the core mission and growth engine of the church. Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — Like what is it, most churches are going to say our mission is disciple making or it’s going to be part of it. They’re going to say we have a culture of disciple making, but it is not what the data shows. Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — You know, again, 95% of churches do not have a culture of disciple-making. They have a culture of program activity. Rich Birch — Right. Todd Wilson — And so I’m not an advocate of changing everything overnight, but if you want to shift from a culture of program activity to a true culture of disciple-making‚ it has to start with the lead minister having a simple, reproducible, in-practice disciple-making approach that is being modeled for the… I don’t mean discipling the staff. I mean there’s people the lead pastor are personally discipling, modeling that simple, reproducible process. Todd Wilson — Where we’re starting to see traction and where I think the breakthroughs are going to come in getting us to the new operating system of the future, it is going to start, and it’s it’s happening right now, with pastors who say, you know, if I’m really honest, I’ve been preaching the last 52 weeks. I’ve been leading meetings. I’ve been doing, I’ve been doing, I’ve done, but I’m not really personally making disciples. Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — And I think it’s going to start with the lead pastor, the elders, senior people saying, If we could only have one metric of success in the next 12 months, it’s not growth, it’s not the activities we do, it’s not the new building. If we only have one measure of success, it’s how many disciples have I personally, relationally been involved in? me Not how many have I preached to, not how many outreach events have we done where we’ve got, but what have I personally done on the disciple-making front?Todd Wilson — And I don’t want to make it more complicated than that. That’s what we’re missing right now.Rich Birch — That’s good. No, that’s really good. Yeah, that’s good. I love the practical takeaway of, um yeah, it’s like, who are the three people in your life that you’re actually discipling? Let’s start there. Rich Birch — So this is kind of a sidebar to it.Todd Wilson — Can I just look real quick?Rich Birch — Yes. Yep. Push back. Yep.Todd Wilson — So David Putman, who’s part of what we do at Multipliers, David’s longtime kingdom guy.Rich Birch — Yep.Todd Wilson — You should have him on as an interview here. David is completely focused on what he calls the 5-3-2 right now. Five simple reproducible principles, three rhythms, and and two relationships. So it’s a triad of three people that just keeps reproducing.Todd Wilson — Anybody can do it. A ninth grader can do it. A lead pastor can do it. I’m watching this model take different groups by storm right now. And whether you embrace the 5-3-2 or some other model like it, the key is going to be having a simple, reproducible process that works for the lead pastor and anyone else in the church. Same model.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. Yeah we had David on back in 2020 and I’m like we got to get him back on uh the podcast. Rich Birch — So sidebar issue, so this is not something we’d you know kicked around ahead of time but it’s kind of adjacent to this. So I am not a I'm not a teaching pastor. Similar to you. I’m not, i never saw myself as a lead pastor. I’ve always been in the like, Hey, my job’s to be in the second chair, cheering for other lead pastors. I’ve worked for um really over my career as an XP three incredible communicator lead pastors who it would appear like, and it is, they, all three of them, God gifted them with this ability to speak and gather crowds. Like that was like core. And, and I, I’ve spent a lot of time like listening to them and watching them. And part of it just appears to be like, it’s definitely a gifting that’s going on there.Rich Birch — And I, over time, ah questions like the following would come up that I would I'd struggle with, where it’s like, it would appear like this person can gather a lot of people, and we can build more chairs in front of that person and people will hear that person and they’ll they’ll take steps towards Jesus. Rich Birch — And I understand that that’s not, or that’s not a full picture of discipleship. That’s one piece of the discipleship puzzle, but it’s not… And the the kind of organizational pressure is, okay, let’s keep figuring out how to build more seats in front of this person and and their gift. How do we get them to leverage their gift well? Rich Birch — And to be honest, I’ve been in conversations where I’ve been the voice of like, I want to line 100,000 people up in front of this person to hear this person speak because I think the way they talk about Jesus is different than what I’ve heard other people say and it it’ll make a difference. Rich Birch — That is, I think, at the center of this tension that there’s some there seems to be something about the gift of teaching that it’s not, I don’t know whether it’s not evenly distributed, or there’s like a brokenness in humanity and we only want to listen to certain kinds of people. I don’t know whether it’s one of those two things. So all I’ve done is describe a problem and I’m going to say, comment on it, Todd.Todd Wilson — Yeah. I think you’re right on the mark. I think I want to affirm that, you know, I mean, everybody has their definitions. I believe the preaching role is, and and the teaching and reaching is a piece of the discipleship equation.Rich Birch — Yep.Todd Wilson — I think if I’m defining the problem statement, We have made it the biggest piece… Rich Birch — Sure. Todd Wilson — …instead of a piece or a playing a role in it. So I think the issue is that how big we’ve made it. Like you, I was an executive pastor for years. And when I look back on that time, my role was not about holistic relational disciple making that could be the growth engine of the church. and it It was how do we get as many people in seats in the auditorium on Sunday? We need great marketing. We need great outreach.Todd Wilson — And again, I think all of those play a role in the disciple-making process ultimately. But let’s just be honest, that’s not disciple-making itself. It plays a role in the disciple-making process.Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — So the elephant in the room here is, how do we scale disciple-making? If I if I could be If I could be the czar of this, I’m not, but if I could be, I want the genius at the end. I want the unique gifts that are represented across the whole mosaic and the church, starting with that dynamic creature that can attract the crowd. I want it. Todd Wilson — But I also want those senior leaders of the organization I really want to be focused on what is our growth engine and what is our holistic disciple-making process. Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — And the number one thing I want from those senior leaders is not their unique gift. I want their modeling, their personal modeling of the simple, reproducible, disciple-making growth engine that anybody in the church can do. Rich Birch — That’s good.Todd Wilson — I mean, that that preaching gift you’re talking about, that that one lead pastor can do, how many other people in the church can do that?Rich Birch — Right. Not many. Yep.Todd Wilson — So there’s their paradigm. So we need them doing it.Rich Birch — Yes.Todd Wilson — But I would argue what we need them doing even more than that inspiration is modeling the simple reproducible disciple making thing that people know that’s how we’re going to win here.Rich Birch — Yeah. Well, and I’ve that lines up, I’ve said it at probably, well, not a thousand times, but hundreds of times with lead pastors over the years that in the context of this conversation, I would rather them weave in the discussion about their discipleship relationships as like just a normative part of conversation rather than the, we’re doing six weeks on discipleship and how to become disciple making. I’m like, if you just pepper that stuff in week in, week out, it just is a normative part of the conversation that changes culture. Rich Birch — The kind of like, we’re going to make it a program. We’re going to brand it. We’ve got a great name on it. And my experience has been, it’s it’s a little bit like nailing jello to the wall. There’s there’s actually some of that containing of what we’re talking about actually kills the exact thing that we’re trying to do. And so, man, I think there’s a real tension there. And how do we help those people? Rich Birch — Because it’s not like we want them to do a worse job. It’s not like, hey, if you could stop talking in a way that attracts a crowd, that’s not the answer. But we’ve got to, like you say, how do we move them into those personal relationships? That’s fantastic.Rich Birch — Well, this has been a great conversation…Todd Wilson — My question would be, Rich, what what would happen…Rich Birch — Yep.Todd Wilson — …if an average lead pastor went on a one-year journey to to of disciple-making themselves? Call it a triad, call it four, five. They’re always, over the next year, going to be in a disciple-making small micro group… Rich Birch — Yep. Todd Wilson — …and all of their preaching is going to be informed.Rich Birch — Yep.Todd Wilson — That’s their laboratory of learning.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s their paradigm. Yeah, that’s good.Todd Wilson — That’s their paradigm. And now they’re bringing it to life, not just as periodic examples, but, you know, my whole frame of reference of my library is what comes out of that experience. Rich Birch — Yeah.Todd Wilson — And our problem right now is that’s just lack. It isn’t that it’s inserted a little bit. It’s just lacking.Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, that’s good. Yeah, this has been great. what ah What a great conversation. And as you can tell, friends, there’s a lot we could talk about there. And a lot you know just there’s a rich conversation that could be had around this. Rich Birch — Let’s let’s pivot and kind of talk a little bit about the book specifically. i want to make sure people pick up copies of this. Again, the name of it is How Did We Get Here? Looking Back to Look Forward. People can get this on Amazon. Are there other places that you would send people if they want to pick up copies of this?Todd Wilson — Yeah. So if they go to church-growth.org, church-growth.org, that’s the book’s homepage. You can actually get the free PDF there. You can get the free audio version there. There’s a full wiki there that people can contribute to. What you kind of mentioned it in passing, but I’ll highlight, it is impossible to read this book and not see yourself in it. Rich Birch — Yes. Yeah.Todd Wilson — Anyone who’s been a Christian for a while, they, the editor of the book said the power of this is going to be, she said, I can tell you the page in the book that I entered the story. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s great. Todd Wilson — So you’ve got the free PDF, the free audio, the wiki, and then for people that just want the paper versions, you can get it on Amazon.Rich Birch — That’s great. And we’ll link to that friends so that you can, you know, find that quickly in the show notes and, and friends, I would encourage you again, to me, I think this could be a great resource to do with your leadership team, as I mentioned earlier. It would be a great kind of conversation starter and really context setter for us to think through these issues as we think about the future. Rich Birch — So kind of as we, as we come to close up today’s conversation, any final words as we wrap up today?Todd Wilson — Rich, I just appreciate the work you’re doing. I want to be an encouragement to pastors. Don’t let this book be, it’s not a deconstruction book. It’s not, oh my goodness, the church has fallen apart.Rich Birch — No, yeah.Todd Wilson — We need to keep plugging away doing what we’re doing, but we also have to have an eye on the future that this operating system that has evolved, everything has a beginning and an end. And this operating system, I believe, is in its final days. I think we’re we’re seeing you know less and less effectiveness with it. And I think we just need to be in a posture of giving permission to the next generations to do some trial and error and experimentation and not be locked into the paradigm of the of the past inheriting previous things.Rich Birch — No, fantastic, Todd. I appreciate you being here. And I would echo that, you know, you’re you’re the kind of leader that’s in our corner trying to help us get better. And so I appreciate the voice that you’ve had for for decades. And so I really appreciate that. Rich Birch — If people want to track with you, get connected, follow along with Multipliers where do we want to send them online?Todd Wilson — Multipliers.org can get me to all the different ways from email to phone to social media. So multipliers.org.Rich Birch — That’s great. Thanks so much, Todd. Appreciate you being here, sir.Todd Wilson — Thank you, Rich. Appreciate it.

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle welcomes Dr. Ray Chang—former church planter, Corporate Manager of Faith-Based Engagement & Partnerships at Thrivent, and longtime Stadia board member—to discuss one of the greatest challenges church planters face: finances. Ray shares his journey from growing up in a Korean immigrant church to planting multi-ethnic churches in Washington, D.C., and Southern California. Along the way, he reflects on the mentors, experiences, and moments of faith that shaped his calling and passion for helping churches thrive. Drawing on decades of ministry and his current work at Thrivent, Ray offers practical wisdom on funding a church plant, developing healthy financial systems, and cultivating a biblical culture of generosity. He explains why church planters must balance trusting God's provision with wise financial planning, accountability, and long-term stewardship. Greg and Ray also discuss why many pastors hesitate to talk about money, and how teaching generosity is ultimately about making better disciples—not simply raising funds. Ray encourages leaders to develop financial health personally before leading others and highlights practical resources available to churches through Thrivent. The episode concludes with a powerful reminder that generosity is contagious. Through stories from his own ministry, Ray demonstrates how simple acts of generosity can open doors for the gospel and inspire entire congregations to live more open-handed lives. Table of Contents: 00:00 – 03:00 Introduction to Ray Chang, his church planting journey, and ministry background. 03:00 – 07:00 From church planter to Thrivent: helping churches thrive financially. 07:00 – 11:00 The biggest financial challenges facing church planters today. 11:00 – 15:00 Trusting God's provision while building wise financial systems. 15:00 – 18:30 Teaching generosity as a discipleship issue—not just a fundraising strategy. 18:30 – 21:30 Practical financial tools and resources available to church leaders. 21:30 – 24:30 Why generosity changes lives and strengthens the church.

On this episode of The Pitch, Andy and Drew dig into two ideas that both orbit the same macro challenge: how do sports venues generate more value on the days when the stands aren't full?Andy kicks things off with Surrey County Cricket Club's move to turn the Oval into a midweek co-working destination, installing Wi-Fi and laptop-friendly desks to pull remote workers into four-day county fixtures. Drew draws the comparison to the San Diego Padres' Remote Work Wednesday experiment and the pair debate the real ROI of infrastructure investment versus a lighter-touch marketing play.The conversation quickly expands beyond simple attendance tactics. Andy pitches the idea of segmenting co-working days by industry, turning the stadium into a genuine networking event, and ultimately folding the whole concept into corporate sponsorship packages that give brands a physical home inside the venue on non-match days.Then Drew takes the mic with a pitch around legends football, asking what would happen if the one-off celebrity and former player games that clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United already run were structured into a proper secondary league, complete with tracked stats, betting markets, and miniature club contracts. Andy traces the idea back to Sky Sports' Masters Football series from the early 2000s and the pair explore how the Kings League and Baller League have already proved the appetite exists, and why a Premier League-backed version could be close to unstoppable.Finally, the duo zoom out to look at why all of this matters now, connecting stadium monetisation directly to financial fair play regulations in European football, before grounding the conversation in practical examples from Southampton FC's in-stadium pub and arcade to the Bernabeu's surprisingly affordable Starbucks.Timestamps01:30 - The Surrey Oval Co-Working Idea04:00 - Baseball Comparison and the ROI Question07:00 - Networking, Industry Days, and Segmenting the Crowd10:00 - Sponsor Suites as Co-Working Infrastructure15:30 - The Legends League Pitch18:30 - Kings League, Club Partnerships, and Defensive Moats21:00 - Stadium Revenue and the Financial Fair Play Macro24:00 - Spurs, Southampton, the Bernabeu, and What's Actually ReplicableAbout The ShowThe Pitch is the conversational show from the Sports Pundit Podcast Network, hosted by Andy Marston and Drew Rauso. It's a play on words, with each host bringing an idea, theme, or provocation that they pitch to the other. Together they react, debate, and explore what's really happening across the sports industry, from shifting media models to the next wave of innovation.Each episode mixes perspective with practicality, with occasional appearances from other Sports Pundit hosts from across the Network.About The HostsDrew Rauso is a versatile media operator with a proven track record of building and scaling sports media ventures at the intersection of content, commerce, and creator strategy. He currently leads Brand, Strategy, and Operations at Playmaker HQ, a leading sports podcast network owned by Better Collective, home to shows featuring Shaquille O'Neal, Angel Reese, and Marshawn Lynch. Previously at The Players' Tribune, Drew has been instrumental in shaping athlete-driven media, overseeing partnerships, production, and growth initiatives that connect fans and talent in meaningful ways.Andy Marston is the founder of Sports Pundit, a community and media platform for sports and technology executives. Through a weekly newsletter, podcast network, lively group chat, and regular social events, he shares industry analysis and connects leaders across the sector. Alongside Sports Pundit, Andy leads Corporate Venture at athlete-backed venture firm, The Players Fund, where he works with high-profile sports IP such as Como 1907 and Juventus to design venture strategies and drive innovation initiatives.

Having both missed out on automatic qualification for the World Cup, England and Ireland each face the play-offs in the autumn! England may have beaten Ukraine, but got the game plan very wrong against the Spanish, who appeared to be wearing boots that magnetised the ball to their feet.In other seismic news, it looks like two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas is London City-bound! Chloe and Rachel try to wrap their heads around what this could mean for the WSL. Finally, women's football infrastructure expert Sarah Rock joins us to chat about purpose-built stadiums for the women's game and the divisive idea of ‘regional grounds'.Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, covering the WSL, the Lionesses, and beyond. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bandai Namco Entertainment America announced during the "Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2026" event in Los Angeles on Sunday that the previously teased "Age 1000" game project is actually Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3, the third game in the Dragon Ball Xenoverse game series. The game will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam in 2027.The event previewed the character designs for a female version of the player character and a new character Brett.The company announced the joint project with Toei Animation in January. The game includes a "never-before-seen original character, designed by Akira Toriyama." Akio Iyoku stated Toriyama was involved in the world-building, characters, and other aspects of the game. The game has been in development for about 6-7 years.Bandai Namco released Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in North America and Europe in October 2016, and for PS4 in Japan in November 2016. The company then released the game for Nintendo Switch in Japan and the West in September 2017. The game launched for Google's now-defunct Stadia gaming platform in December 2019. The company released the game on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in May 2024. The game got a PS5 release in Japan in the same month.

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle sits down with Marc Estes, pastor, author, and CEO of Visitor Reach—an AI-driven platform helping churches connect with people in today's digital-first culture. Marc shares insights from over 40 years in ministry, including his time as senior pastor of Manor House in Portland and his leadership in global church movements that have helped plant churches around the world. Today, his focus is helping churches adapt to a rapidly changing culture—especially in how they engage people spiritually. At the heart of the conversation is a critical shift: the church must move from a "come and see" model to a "go and be" model. Marc explains that while past generations responded well to invitations, today's culture requires churches to proactively engage people where they already are—relationally, emotionally, and especially digitally, where people spend hours each day searching for meaning, connection, and truth. Marc also unpacks key ideas from his book, The Road We Must Travel, using the parable of the Good Samaritan to challenge leaders toward a more relational, incarnational approach to ministry. He outlines six key attributes of effective ministry today, including going to people, engaging in healing and discipleship, investing in outreach, multiplying leaders, and building a legacy that extends beyond one generation. The conversation closes with a hopeful yet urgent challenge: while cultural pressures are rising, so is spiritual openness—with a significant percentage of people searching for answers. Marc believes we may be on the edge of a new spiritual awakening—but only if the church is willing to change how it engages the world. Resources mentioned: Visitor Reach: a tool to help you connect with guests and follow up thoughtfully Use code: STADIA if you decide to try it Note: This is an affiliate link, and we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Timestamps:  00:00 – 02:00 Introduction to Marc Estes and his ministry background. 02:00 – 05:00 From senior pastor to CEO: launching Visitor Reach. 05:00 – 08:00 Why churches must engage people in digital spaces. 08:00 – 12:00 Cultural shifts: from "come to church" to "go to people." 12:00 – 18:00 The Good Samaritan framework and the "gospel of go." 18:00 – 23:00 Discipleship, healing ministry, and relational investment. 23:00 – 27:00 Funding outreach and prioritizing mission over maintenance. 27:00 – 31:00 Multiplication: measuring success by sending, not seating. 31:00 – 35:00 Are we on the edge of a spiritual awakening? Final thoughts.  

This week we continue to look back at the 2025 AFCON, with so many talking points, including the sanctions handed by CAF to Senegal and Morocco following the chaotic final.We look at the rise of local coaches – as they have now won four editions of the AFCON in a row.Also, CAF president Patrice Motsepe spoke about the importance of good stadiums and of good pitches for future AFCON hosts – who then can host future tournaments?Plus your views on whether moving to an AFCON every four years is a good idea.And Stuart on the conclusion of the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Para iniciar esta temporada te cuento mi experiencia jugando los juegos de Steam con un mando de Google Stadia, en Linux. Te invito a debatir sobre este tema en el Foro de la Comunidad de TuPodcast https://foro.tupodcast.com Y otras formas de contacto las encuentran en: https://ernestoacosta.me/contacto.html Todos los medios donde publico contenido los encuentras en: https://ernestoacosta.me/ Si quieres comprar productos de RØDE, este es mi link de afiliados: https://brandstore.rode.com/?sca_ref=5066237.YwvTR4eCu1

Another glorious week on the Android Faithful podcast with Jason Howell reviewing a 32" tablet, Mishaal flexing his Google sleuthing muscles all over Android 17, and Huyen bringing the TURBO to 2026!Don't forget the 2025 Annual Podcast Kudos (APKs!!!) You can vote for your favorite phones and news stories at https://bit.ly/2025apks - Voting closes on 12/22 at 11:59pm ET!Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor0:05:18 - NEWSGoogle and Apple partner on better Android-iPhone switchingGalaxy Z TriFold Becomes Instant Hit, Sold Out Within MinutesAndroid 17 may finally add the native App Lock feature Pixel users have been waiting forAndroid 17 could mimic this helpful iOS feature to reduce motion sicknessPatron pick: Google's Stadia controller just got a big upgrade courtesy of Steam0:32:25 - HARDWAREJason reviews the KTC 32" Android TabletOnePlus says its upcoming ‘Turbo' gaming phones are ‘frighteningly strong'Return of 4GB RAM in smartphones by 2026 amidst DRAM crisis2026 Smartphone Shipment Forecasts Revised Down as Memory Shortage Drives BoM Costs Up0:52:09 - APPSInstagram hands you the keys to control 'Your Algorithm' in Reels, plans to expandBringing state-of-the-art Gemini translation capabilities to Google Translate0:59:35 - FEEDBACKJeff is having Pixel 10 Qi2 issuesHilton thinks monochrome icons make Android less usableMorgan shares a (long) report on Google's sub-par customer service Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2025 Game Awards: 1:05   Google: 25:08 - The Android Show: XR Edition - YouTube TV confirms new plans coming - New safety feature for Android users   General Tech: 39:00 - Pebble made a ring? - Instagram does something nice for its users   One More Thing: 53:10 - The Stadia controller lives on     https://www.patreon.com/callingallplatforms    Merch!   Contact: podcast@callingallplatforms.com Social: Facebook Twitter YouTube   Apple Podcasts Spotify Android  

Happy MECHtober! Travis (Left Behind Game Club) returns to the show and we chat about Into the Breach. Check out our thoughts on this excellent strategy game.  Game: Into the BreachRelease Year: 2018Developer: Subset GamesPlatforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, Linux, Stadia, iOS, Android  More information on Left Behind Game Club:⁠⁠⁠Left Behind Game Club⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Cutscenes: a Video Game Movie Podcast⁠⁠⁠@Cutscenes_Pod (⁠Twitter⁠)@LeftBehindClub (⁠Twitter ⁠and ⁠Blue Sky⁠)@traviscolenutt (⁠⁠Blue Sky⁠) Contact information:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheGreatestStoryEverPlayed@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@StoryEverPod (⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠and ⁠⁠Blue Sky⁠⁠)Check out our spinoff podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TGSEP: Side Quests⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Intro: Money for Lugging by New WaverOutro: End Credits by Visager

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle sits down with Brian Hofmeister, founding pastor of Lakepoint Church in Muskego, Wisconsin. Brian shares the powerful story of how his church moved from a single church plant to becoming a multiplying, sending church. Key themes include: How a church of any size can invest in multiplication from the beginning Why Lakepoint committed 10% of its budget to future church plants—even in its early years Lessons learned from developing residents and sending planters during the COVID-19 pandemic A compelling vision for shared church family identity, including joint baptism services How to embed multiplication into your church's DNA and avoid burnout as a sending pastor Whether you're a new church planter, a pastor of an established congregation, or someone investing in church planting, Brian's practical wisdom will challenge and inspire you to think beyond your walls.

In this episode of Mind The Kids, host Mark Tebbs welcomes Professor Kapil Sayal from the University of Nottingham, to explore the landmark STADIA trial, which was published in ACAMH's Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (JCPP) https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.14090.  Together, they unravel how standardized diagnostic assessments, like the DAWBA, might shape the journey for children and young people referred to CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). Kapil shares his dual perspective as both a professor and an NHS consultant, explaining how the STADIA trial spanned eight NHS sites across England and deeply involved young people and parents with lived experience. The heart of their conversation is the real-world impact of using structured assessment tools in mental health referrals—do they improve diagnosis, access, or outcomes? Listeners will learn how tools like DAWBA could transform clinical decision-making, listen to find what the study found. Families appreciated the validation and feedback these assessments provided, often using their reports to communicate with schools and GPs. The episode highlights the ongoing challenges in CAMHS—rising demand, long waits, and the need for earlier, more effective support. Mark and Kapil reflect on how research like STADIA can inform future policy, service design, and digital innovation, emphasizing the importance of listening to lived experience. The episode closes with a call for continued research and collaboration to ensure every young person gets the support they need, when they need it. Perfect for parents, clinicians, and anyone interested in the future of youth mental health care.

pWotD Episode 3038: Google Welcome to popular Wiki of the Day, spotlighting Wikipedia's most visited pages, giving you a peek into what the world is curious about today.With 1,467,444 views on Tuesday, 26 August 2025 our article of the day is Google.Google LLC ( , GOO-gəl) is an American multinational corporation and technology company focusing on online advertising, search engine technology, cloud computing, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, consumer electronics, and artificial intelligence (AI). It has been referred to as "the most powerful company in the world" by the BBC and is one of the world's most valuable brands. Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc., is one of the five Big Tech companies alongside Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft.Google was founded on September 4, 1998, by American computer scientists Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Together, they own about 14% of its publicly listed shares and control 56% of its stockholder voting power through super-voting stock. The company went public via an initial public offering (IPO) in 2004. In 2015, Google was reorganized as a wholly owned subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. Google is Alphabet's largest subsidiary and is a holding company for Alphabet's internet properties and interests. Sundar Pichai was appointed CEO of Google on October 24, 2015, replacing Larry Page, who became the CEO of Alphabet. On December 3, 2019, Pichai also became the CEO of Alphabet.After the success of its original service, Google Search (often known simply as "Google"), the company has rapidly grown to offer a multitude of products and services. These products address a wide range of use cases, including email (Gmail), navigation and mapping (Waze, Maps, and Earth), cloud computing (Cloud), web navigation (Chrome), video sharing (YouTube), productivity (Workspace), operating systems (Android and ChromeOS), cloud storage (Drive), language translation (Translate), photo storage (Photos), videotelephony (Meet), smart home (Nest), smartphones (Pixel), wearable technology (Pixel Watch and Fitbit), music streaming (YouTube Music), video on demand (YouTube TV), AI (Google Assistant and Gemini), machine learning APIs (TensorFlow), AI chips (TPU), and more. Many of these products and services are dominant in their respective industries, as is Google Search. Discontinued Google products include gaming (Stadia), Glass, Google+, Reader, Play Music, Nexus, Hangouts, and Inbox by Gmail. Google's other ventures outside of internet services and consumer electronics include quantum computing (Sycamore), self-driving cars (Waymo), smart cities (Sidewalk Labs), and transformer models (Google DeepMind).Google Search and YouTube are the two most-visited websites worldwide, followed by Facebook and Twitter (now known as X). Google is also the largest search engine, mapping and navigation application, email provider, office suite, online video platform, photo and cloud storage provider, mobile operating system, web browser, machine learning framework, and AI virtual assistant provider in the world as measured by market share. On the list of most valuable brands, Google is ranked second by Forbes as of January 2022 and fourth by Interbrand as of February 2022. The company has received significant criticism involving issues such as privacy concerns, tax avoidance, censorship, search neutrality, antitrust, and abuse of its monopoly position.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 01:55 UTC on Wednesday, 27 August 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Google on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm neural Niamh.

Greg sits down with Dr. Liz Rios (Founder of Passion2Plant) and Rev. Len Tang (Director of the Fuller Church Planting Initiative) to explore the expanding world of multiethnic, micro, and digital church planting. They unpack the rapid growth of microchurches, the increasing leadership of women of color in church planting, and the redefinition of success beyond outdated metrics. The conversation also dives into the barriers multiethnic leaders face—especially in funding and power-sharing—and the urgent need for new pipelines that elevate diverse leaders. Get practical ideas and inspiration for: Starting and supporting digital faith communities Funding justice-centered churches Co-vocational and multi-vocational planting models Joining the Multiethnic Church Planting Collaborative Training through Passion2Plant   01:45 – The rise of microchurches and reimagined planting models 03:30 – Global influence on U.S. microchurch models 04:00 – Women of color stepping into church planting 05:00 – Digital and micro as natural expressions for multiethnic women leaders 06:30 – Letting go of traditional church planting metrics 07:00 – Digital church planting: cost, reach, and community impact 08:30 – Examples of digital church leaders reinvesting in their communities 10:00 – Financial sustainability and co-/tri-vocational leadership 12:00 – Challenges in multiethnic church planting: politics and funding 13:00 – Expanding the definition of multiethnic: immigrant, ethnic-specific, multiracial 14:30 – Power sharing and leadership dynamics in multiethnic models 18:45 – Kingdom diversity: Galatians and Revelation visions 20:00 – Demographic shifts and the need for diverse leadership pipelines 21:30 – Opportunities: Black church planting summit, Stadia's statement of lament 23:00 – Slowing down, building trust, and unlearning systems 26:30 – How to get involved: Passion2Plant and Fuller's Collaborative 28:00 – Final encouragement and closing thoughts

Ep 480 - Nintendo shares an extended look at Donkey Kong Bananza, unveiling a much bigger and bolder adventure than their initial demo let on. PlayStation sees record profits. Xbox starts talking next-gen. Plus, we give our takes on FBC Firebreak and finally dig deep into Mario Kart World and Switch 2 Welcome Tour. Become a patron to get the extended cut: https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-donkey-131888671 (0:00) - Intro (3:39) - Donkey Kong Bananza Direct (27:08) - FBC Firebreak Impressions (51:11) - PlayStation's Record Profits (1:00:22) - Xbox Talks Next-Gen (1:17:15) - A Word From Our Sponsors (1:19:22) - Mario Kart World Impressions (1:54:18) - Switch 2 Welcome Tour Impressions (2:17:20) - Also This Week (2:32:22) - L&R: DLC Preferences (2:43:30) - L&R Game: Was it on Stadia? (2:52:58) - L&R: Sony Buying WB Games? (3:03:00) - Bets (3:07:28) - Closing Go to https://www.shopify.com/allies for a one-dollar-per-month trial period to grow your business–no matter what stage you're in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Greg Nettle talks with Dean Sweetman, co-founder and co-CEO of Tithely, a digital giving platform now used by over 50,000 churches worldwide. Dean shares his remarkable journey from being a high school dropout and aspiring surfer in Australia to planting over 60 churches globally and building a church tech company processing billions in donations annually. Key highlights: Dean's unconventional path into church planting across Asia, Africa, and North America. Why demographic research + Holy Spirit leading matters when choosing a church plant location. How a Starbucks app experience inspired the creation of Tithely. The impact of recurring digital giving on financial stability for churches. Future of church tech: AI, VR, and holographic gospel preaching. Resources mentioned: Tithely's free tools for church planters (https://get.tithe.ly/) Stadia Church Planting (https://stadia.org) Learn more about church planting with Stadia: https://stadia.org/discovery 01:18 – Dean's early life & conversion story   02:44 – Becoming a youth pastor and seminary in Australia   04:10 – Global missions & planting churches in Asia and Africa   06:08 – Real estate and bi-vocational ministry   07:30 – Choosing Atlanta for church planting   09:13 – The power of sending leaders to plant   11:00 – Planting 60+ churches through C3 movement   13:07 – The Starbucks moment: inspiration for Tithely   16:09 – Launching the first giving app with his son   17:11 – Sabbatical and shifting from pastor to entrepreneur   18:28 – Explosive growth during COVID (12K churches in 6 weeks)   20:14 – Building an all-in-one church platform   21:11 – Discipleship through digital giving   23:31 – Tech adoption in younger generations   24:18 – Getting started with Tithely   25:01 – Power of recurring giving   26:15 – AI, AR, and the future of church tech    

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, host Greg Nettle is joined by Tim Celek from Stadia's post-launch team and two dynamic kids ministry leaders from Georgia—Brittany Ara of City Church Griffin and Robyn Alexander of Foundation Christian Church. Together, they outline five essential principles for church leaders who want to reach and disciple the next generation: Safety isn't optional – Every church needs a clear child protection policy. Not sure where to start? Ask neighboring churches to share their handbooks. Leadership matters – Recruit leaders who can lead teams, not just love kids. Burnout is real without shared responsibility. Let kids serve – Kids and teens need hands-on opportunities to experience their faith, not just hear about it. Know your ‘one' – Ditch cookie-cutter strategies and design ministry that fits your local community's needs and rhythms. Recruit with vision, not guilt – Celebrate wins from the stage, don't beg for volunteers. Help your team build a long-term system for healthy recruiting. They also share fun, creative ideas like using an ice cream truck for outreach and creating dual summer camp models for different demographics. It's a practical, passionate guide for any church looking to multiply its impact through children's ministry. 00:26 – Meet Brittany Ara & Robyn Alexander   02:10 – Why Stadia Prioritizes the Next Generation   03:15 – 5 Things Every Church Leader Needs to Know   03:45 – #1: Safety Must Come First   07:13 – #2: Healthy Kids Ministry Requires Strong Leadership   12:00 – #3: Empower Kids & Teens to Serve   14:00 – Creative Outreach Ideas: Ice Cream Truck Ministry   17:00 – Involving Kids in "Big Church"   19:11 – #4: Forget What You've Seen Before – Know Your Community   21:00 – Real-Life Camp Examples That Meet Families Where They Are   25:39 – Balancing Technology in Kids Ministry   26:00 – #5: Volunteer Recruiting Should Be Vision-Driven   29:00 – What Keeps These Leaders Going  

Today on the show Lisa interviews Ashley Stegeman & Chad Manbeck. Ashley is the Director of Church Engagement and Partnerships at Stadia. Chad is the Lead Pastor at Richwoods Christian Church in Central Illinois. Today's episode is full of specific information about Stadia's Vision Trips. You don't want to miss this information or the surprising way that Chad's trip ignited his next steps in being part of multiplying churches for the next generation.

O Google Stadia foi um serviço / plataforma de streaming que se tornou infame por ser um dos maiores flops da indústria. Nesse episódio, acompanhe conosco toda a sua história, da criação até o eventual encerramento. Será que o Stadia tinha alguma chance e realmente o Google fez tudo errado? Confira!

Adam, Rey, Andrew & Michael are here to chat about the return of Spring football in Ukraine. 4 and a bit matchday's into the second half of the season and so much has gone down so far. The transfer window has just closed too. Topics to chat about aplenty. THE LEAGUE: The Relegation race – the most exciting part of the table at this stage LNZ – disappointment of the season? Kryvbas and the problems of playing and living in Kryvyi Rih Andriy Mykolayovych Yarmolenko gate THE CUP: Bukovyna through to semi finals However… they will NOT be able to play their match in Chernivtsi Is this fair? Proposed Ukrainian Cup changes  INTERNATIONAL PROBLEMS: The less said about Belgium the better... A fallow summer ahead of our national teams despite U21 Euros and Canadian Shield  New Stepanov controversy has turned into Wars of the Bloggers? Listen to the above and MUCH, MUCH MORE in our latest episode! ********************************************** Want to help the families of fallen ultras cope through the first difficult months without their husbands, partners, fathers, brothers and sons? More Info & ways to donate here: standsofheroes.com ************************************************ Please subscribe to Ukraine + Football on your favoured podcast provider and leave a review if you are able to! You can also RATE us on Apple Podcasts & NOW Spotify - please give us 5 stars if you are able to! We are also now on YOUTUBE - for vlogs and live streams please subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyiNMhP18iGwwov5FkcMY7Q Please email any questions, feedback or ideas to: ukraineplusfootball@gmail.com

Links mentioned on this episode:ShaderGlass: https://mausimus.itch.io/shaderglassArticles on Apple's sealed/immutable system layout in recent MacOS versions:https://eclecticlight.co/2021/10/29/how-macos-is-more-reliable-and-doesnt-need-reinstalling/https://eclecticlight.co/2024/10/22/boot-volume-layout-and-structure-in-macos-sequoia/  Support the Pod! Contribute to the Tech Pod Patreon and get access to our booming Discord, a monthly bonus episode, your name in the credits, and other great benefits! You can support the show at: https://patreon.com/techpod

Yes, we're talking about Sonos once more. They are committed to improving their app after much derision. Stadia notwithstanding, discussing how cloud gaming can be a potential selling point for integrators. CEDIA unveils improved education programs in store for CEDIA Expo 2025. And a brief discussion about frequencies and the potential issues coming through the FCC that could affect our industry.Every week we find the most important news for the residential AV space- What integrators need to know- and discuss it with a panel of experts. Joining us this week is Mark Feinberg from Home Theater Advisors and Avi Rosenthal of BlueConnect PartnersHost: Matt ScottGuests:Avi Rosenthal – BlueConnect PartnersMark Feinberg – Home Theater AdvisorsLinks to sources:CE Pro – Sonos Commits to App ImprovementsCE Pro – Using Game Streaming for Potential InterestResidential Tech Today – CEDIA's Revamped Education for CEDIA Expo 2025See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of "The Church Planting Podcast," Greg Nettle chats with Vance Pitman, president of Send Network and founder of Hope Church Las Vegas. Pitman shares his transformative journey from devotional readings to planting a vibrant, multi-ethnic community church in Las Vegas. He emphasizes the importance of intimacy with Christ, viewing ministry as an overflow of this relationship, and the necessity of contextual church planting strategies suited to urban settings. To connect with Vance and Send Network, visit https://www.namb.net/send-network/ To connect with Greg and Stadia, visit https://stadia.org 00:00:01 - Introduction by Greg Nettle 00:00:25 - Introduction of Vance Pitman 00:01:02 - Welcome and conversation begins 00:01:59 - Vance's call to church planting 00:03:01 - Decision to plant in Las Vegas 00:04:01 - Moving and preparing for Las Vegas 00:05:13 - The role of intimacy in ministry 00:06:26 - The impact of church planting on Pitman's family 00:07:10 - Importance of listening to God's voice 00:08:23 - Challenges of moving to Las Vegas with family 00:09:09 - The success of Hope Church in transforming lives 00:10:20 - Advice for church planters on family and faith 00:11:09 - Church diversity and authenticity 00:13:11 - Team-based church planting approach 00:14:12 - Vance's extensive church planting experience 00:15:00 - Shifts in church planting strategies 00:17:18 - Biblical foundations for urban church planting 00:18:58 - The rise of micro churches and co-vocational planters 00:21:22 - Future trends in church planting 00:23:02 - Lessons learned from decades of ministry 00:25:17 - Key advice for new church planters 00:26:19 - Global impact and mission of the church 00:27:25 - How to connect with Send Network 00:28:15 - Closing remarks and sports talk

fWotD Episode 2866: Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number Welcome to Featured Wiki of the Day, your daily dose of knowledge from Wikipedia’s finest articles.The featured article for Monday, 10 March 2025 is Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number.Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is a 2015 top-down shooter video game developed by Dennaton Games and published by Devolver Digital. The game takes place before, during, and after the events of Hotline Miami (2012), focusing on the background and aftermath of the massacres committed against the Russian mafia in Miami by Jacket, the protagonist of the previous game. The player takes on the role of several different characters during the game, witnessing the events from different perspectives across the United States. In each level of the game, the player is tasked with defeating every enemy through any means possible. In the version of the game released on Steam, the player has access to a level editor, allowing them to create and share custom levels with other players.The game was initially conceived as downloadable content for the previous game, but became a standalone sequel after its length surpassed that of the original. The game was first announced in December 2012 via Jonatan Söderström's Twitter. Developed as the final installment in the series, Dennaton incorporated all unused concepts from the first game's development into the sequel. The game's console versions were developed by Abstraction Games. It was formally announced at E3 2013, and after a few delays, was released worldwide on 10 March 2015 for Linux, OS X, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Windows.Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the soundtrack, but had diverse opinions on the gameplay, level design and ending. A scene depicting sexual assault triggered a mostly negative response from media outlets and resulted in the game being refused classification in Australia. A localised version was released in Japan on 25 June 2015 as part of Hotline Miami: Collected Edition. The game was ported onto Nintendo Switch alongside the first game in the Hotline Miami Collection in 2019, which was later ported onto the Xbox One and Stadia in 2020 and the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2023.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:17 UTC on Monday, 10 March 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm neural Danielle.

In this episode of "The Church Planting Podcast," Greg Nettle discusses with Don Hamilton, the author of Lead Like a Bodyguard: 52 Timeless Leadership Lessons. They explore key insights into leadership and church planting, drawing on lessons from the life of Nehemiah. Key topics include handling opposition, celebrating milestones, and the importance of team recognition. Connect with Don: https://www.donmarkhamilton.com/ Get Lead Like a Bodyguard on Amazon: https://a.co/d/9bFU4eD Connect with Stadia and Greg Nettle: https://stadia.org 0:54 - Discussing key leadership lessons from *Lead Like a Bodyguard* and their applications in church planting 8:09 - How to handle opposition as a church leader and its implications in church planting 10:16 - The importance of celebrating achievements and recognizing team contributions in leadership 16:04 - Discussing the need for moral integrity and the challenges leaders face 19:44 - Strategies for effectively managing change within the church context 24:34 - Insights into balancing roles as a leader and a parent  

Discerning God's calling on our lives is not easy. If that calling includes stepping into church planting, it can feel down right impossible. Today on the show Lisa is joined by two of Stadia's best, Heidy and Jehieli, both of them intricate parts of Stadia's Discovery Center. Join in as they walk us through Stadia's Discovery Center process for potential Church Planters, putting boots to the ground for our heart to help you start thriving, growing, multiplying churches for the next generation. https://stadia.org/discovery/  

In this episode of "The Church Planting Podcast," host Greg Nettle, president of Stadia Church Planting, engages with guests Marc Cleary and Dino Rizzo. They discuss the nuances of church planting, the importance of clarity in calling, and the attributes of successful church leaders. Marc and Dino share their extensive experience in fostering thriving church communities through the Association of Related Churches (ARC). They emphasize the significance of financial health, strong personal relationships, and a clear vision for future church leaders. For more about their work, visit ARC's website: https://www.arcchurches.com To connect with host Greg Nettle and Stadia, visit https://stadia.org [00:00:00] Introduction by Greg Nettle [00:01:09] Welcome guests Marc Cleary and Dino Rizzo [00:02:06] Dino Rizzo's backstory in church planting [00:03:25] Marc's entry into church planting [00:04:29] Current trends and successful attributes in church planting [00:06:10] Importance of clarity in calling [00:07:17] Discussion on the need for a compelling vision [00:10:12] Criteria for a successful church plant [00:11:02] Importance of a healthy marriage for church planters [00:13:01] Financial scrutiny and its importance [00:15:43] Encouraging young church planters [00:17:37] Advice for older individuals considering church planting [00:19:48] Red flags in potential church planters [00:25:07] Conclusion and partnership discussion between ARC and Stadia

Google formally announced the innovative video game service Stadia at the 2019 Game Developer Conference. The company invested substantial resources to support the demanding requirements of cloud gaming. But the early uptake by premium video gamers was disappointing. The leadership team faced a decision. Should they double down by refocusing Stadia on the casual gamer segment? Or should they pull the plug? In this episode, Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer Derek van Bever and coauthor Akshat Agrawal explore Google's strategic choice in the case “Google Stadia: Game On or Game Over?”

Dr. Asilay Seker sits down with Professor Kapil Sayal from the University of Nottingham to discuss the STADIA trial (STAndardised DIagnostic Assessment for children and adolescents with emotional difficulties), which he led. This multicentre randomised controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of incorporating a standardised diagnostic assessment tool into routine clinical care within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Professor Sayal explains the study's aims, the significance of its findings, and how STADIA offered valuable insights into rethinking CAMHS provision. He also discusses how a more digitalised approach could expand the service's reach and enhance support for young people and families. Asilay is later joined by Professor Andrea Danese. They discuss the complexities of trauma and PTSD, particularly in children and young people. He clarifies the definitions of trauma and PTSD, emphasizing the importance of subjective experiences in understanding mental health outcomes. The conversation also explores the impact of neurodiversity on trauma processing and highlights the need for flexible diagnostic approaches. Finally, Professor Danese underscores the importance of evidence-based treatments for PTSD and the urgent need to improve access to these interventions for affected youth. RESOURCES: https://www.acamh.org/blog/the-stadia-trial-exploring-clinical-and-cost-effectiveness/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-020-0880-3 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2818046 https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpp.14048 https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpp.14090 We produce mental health information to support young people which can be found in the mental health section of our website. RCPsych also produces factsheets for schools, colleges and other organisations, which cover a range of topics from diagnosable conditions to everyday challenges young people deal with. Written by psychiatrists in collaboration with young people, these are available for schools and college to order online. Click here to order: https://rcpsych.myshopify.com/collections/mental-health-for-young-people-and-children

Google spends over $45 billion on R&D a year, yet its graveyard of failed innovations keeps growing - Google+, Glass, Stadia, and countless others. But here's the surprising truth: this pattern isn't unique to Google. Even with unlimited resources and top talent, tech giants struggle to innovate alone. The era of solo innovation is dead. Consider this: in 1985, breakthrough innovations required input from 2-3 organizations. Today, that number has exploded to 15-20 organizations for cutting-edge technologies. Tesla, often praised for vertical integration, relies on 300+ suppliers, multiple university partnerships, and data from millions of drivers. The innovation game has fundamentally changed. Modern breakthroughs emerge from complex webs of collaboration between competitors, startups, universities, and governments. Companies clinging to the lone wolf approach are falling behind. CRISPR gene editing technology, often attributed to a single lab, actually required dozens of universities, multiple government grants, and countless biotech firms working in parallel. SpaceX's reusable rockets build on NASA research, hundreds of suppliers, and open-source contributions. The message is clear: your organization's innovation potential isn't limited by your internal resources - it's limited by your ability to orchestrate an ecosystem of partners. Listen to the podcast: https://killerinnovations.com/subscribe-to-podcast/ Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/@PhilMcKinney Want the complete innovation ecosystem playbook?  Become a member and get instant access to our comprehensive Innovation Ecosystem Playbook, participate in the discussion in our exclusive Discord community of innovators, and much more. Our community is transforming how companies approach breakthrough innovation. Join the community and get the Innovation Playbook: https://www.philmckinney.com/#/portal/signup Become a member via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philmckinney #innovation #businessstrategy #technology #leadership

Google spends over $45 billion on R&D a year, yet its graveyard of failed innovations keeps growing – Google+, Glass, Stadia, and countless others. But here's the surprising truth: this pattern isn't unique to Google. Even with unlimited resources and top talent, tech giants struggle to innovate alone. The era of solo innovation is dead. […]

In this episode of "The Church Planting Podcast," hosted by Greg Nettle, president of Stadia, the discussion features Jon Ferguson, co-founding pastor of Community Christian Church and a pioneer in church multiplication. The conversation covers the benefits and challenges of team leadership in church planting, drawing from Jon's extensive experience and his co-leadership with his brother, Dave Ferguson. Key topics include the advantages of starting with a team, the importance of complementary skills within the team, and the potential pitfalls of team dynamics. The episode also delves into the concepts of micro churches and bi-vocational church planting, highlighting their growing relevance and effectiveness in the current religious landscape. Jon and Greg discuss several resources and books that have influenced their approaches, including Jon's book "Exponential" and the new "Bless" practices for community engagement, detailed in their recent publication. For listeners interested in exploring these resources, you can check out "Exponential" on Amazon and learn more about the "Bless" practices on the BLESS app's website. Episode Outline with Timestamps [00:00:19] Introduction of Jon Ferguson and his background [00:01:08] Discussion on team leadership in church planting [00:05:22] Celebrating 35 years of Community Christian Church [00:07:17] Advantages of starting church plants in teams [00:10:23] Identifying essential team roles and dynamics [00:14:45] Shift to discussing micro churches and co-vocational models [00:19:13] Discussing the potential downsides and challenges of team planting [00:23:32] Personal insights from Jon on leadership roles [00:26:53] Personal anecdotes and the importance of community engagement [00:31:35] Introduction of the Bless app for community outreach  

Lycans and gentlemen! Village locals Max Roberts, Logan Moore, and special guest Michael Ruiz, run around town trying to put a baby back together. Was RE8 able to recapture the magic of previous entries or should Capcom have left the vampires and werewolves to Konami? On Super Chapter Select: Max and Logan get Mike hooked on Resident Evil before talking about MLB The Show 23. You can download a copy of this episode's transcript here. Resident Evil Village Developer - Capcom Platforms - PlayStation 4/5, PS VR2, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Stadia, PC, and macOS Release Date - May 7, 2021 Game Director - Morimasa Sato Producers - Tsuyoshi Kanda, Peter Fabiano, and Masachika Kawata Composer - Shusaku Uchiyama Metacritic - 84/100 (PS VR2 - 82/100) Links Resident Evil Village Wikipedia Resident Evil (Film Series) The End of the Winters Family Saga The Jump Scare that Got Us Soundtrack Music Spotify YouTube This episode was originally recorded on April 10, 2023. @ChapterSelect Max's Twitter @MaxRoberts143 Logan's Twitter @MooreMan12 Michael's Twitter @TheMichaelJRuiz Researcher, Editor, and Producer – Max Roberts Hosted by Logan Moore & Max Roberts Illustration generated by DALL-E 2, prompted by Max Roberts.

On this week's episode of the Joy of Football Podcast we're talking about Liverpool's form and how they SHOULD win the Premier League. We have our usual 'Three of the Best', Neil's VOICE OF PASSION is on fatigue and performance levels after international breaks, Martin's Letter from the Gantry is on his busy week of commentating, and stoppage is all about the magic of the cup.Join Neil Barnett (former Chelsea touch-liner announce and football journalist) alongside the voice of the Premier League Martin Tyler in celebrating the greatest addiction in the World!Hosted by The Revive Lounge Ltd UCsdye1hUxP4xhgBx9zvuSjgSubscribe to https://youtube.com/@TheReviveLounge?si=L5ddzrJrtSmErtJ5Support the Pod https://patreon.com/TheJoysofFootballPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkRead us on Substack https://martintylerandneilbarnett.substack.com/Follow our Twitter https://x.com/TheJOFFollow our Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@joy_of_football_pod?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcFollow our Instagram https://https://www.instagram.com/joy_of_football_pod/Contact us via: therevivelounge@gmail.com00:00 Intro01:47 Three of the Best28:25 We Need to Talk About (Liverpool & Everton)37:12 Explain That (Soulless Bowls)47:18 Letter from the Gantry (Busy Week on the Gantry)53:18 VOICE OF PASSION (Performance after Internationals)1:03:37 Stoppage Time (New MOTD Host) 1:09:38 Where to Find UsMusic by Arron Clague - https://www.instagram.com/arronclague?igsh=aHg1bjQ3OHpmaXIzIntro Sequence by Wellong Sadewo (wells.illustration): https://www.instagram.com/wells.illustration/A massive thank you to our Patreon Supporters:Nick ParmenterHillary AbbottDaniel ButiganTommy MckSend us a textSupport the show

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In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle, President of Stadia, discusses the delicate balance between faith and financial wisdom with COO Matt Murphy. They explore the challenges and strategies involved in managing church finances, highlighting the importance of having a plan, understanding the risks of poor stewardship, and the necessity of wise investing. They also emphasize the pitfalls of financial management in church settings, such as over-saving or reckless spending. The episode provides valuable insights for church leaders on navigating finances with faith and prudence. Key topics include the parable of talents and building on solid foundations as illustrated in Matthew 7.' [00:01:20] - Faith in Finances: Matt discusses how faith influences financial decisions in church planting. [00:03:14] - Financial Foolishness: Exploring what constitutes financial foolishness. [00:04:13] - Pitfalls of Financial Management: Discussion on the balance between faith and practical financial stewardship. [00:06:06] - Biblical Insights on Finances: Examples from the book of Matthew on managing resources. [00:08:27] - Leadership and Financial Oversight: The role of vision and strategic budgeting in church finances. [00:10:51] - Vision and Financial Challenges: How shifting visions can complicate financial planning. [00:15:28] - Reserve Funds and Budgeting: Strategies for maintaining financial health and planning for the future. [00:21:28] - Importance of Business Acumen in Boards: The balance of faith and business expertise in governance. [00:24:27] - Gratitude in Finance: The importance of thanking and acknowledging donors.

This episode of "The Church Planting Podcast," hosted by Greg Nettle, president of Stadia Church Planting, features Andrea Wells. Andrea discusses the importance of developing personalized and systematic care strategies for team members, investors, and partners within church planting initiatives. Highlights include her recent trek in Olympic National Park to raise funds for new churches and detailed strategies for personalizing care in organizational settings.  Connect with Greg, Andrea, and Stadia at https://stadia.org [00:00:23] Introduction of Andrea Wells and her role at Stadia [00:00:48] The importance of care in organizational contexts [00:01:10] Discussion on personal and professional background of Andrea [00:01:40] Andrea's trekking experience for church funding [00:02:29] Deep dive into the philosophy and methods of caring [00:06:06] Andrea's strategy for developing a care system [00:08:03] Use of Asana and Google Forms for managing care tasks [00:11:34] Budget considerations for implementing a care plan [00:14:39] Non-material ways of showing care [00:17:29] Practical examples of caring through personal gestures [00:19:56] Team collaboration and the integration of personal strengths in care systems [00:21:31] Discussion on bereavement and personal experiences of support [00:26:30] Andrea's current readings and recommendations on relevant literature [00:27:56] Conclusion and thanks to Andrea Wells

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle, president of Stadia Church Planting, chats with Steve Porter, chair of the Stadia board. They delve into the essential qualities and functions of a good church board member, highlighting the challenges church leaders face in financial management due to their lack of training in this area. Steve shares his extensive experience on various boards, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy and transparency for nonprofit leaders. They also discuss the role of policy governance in maintaining an effective board by setting clear boundaries and responsibilities. [00:00:18] - Introduction of Steve Porter, background on his board experience. [00:01:03] - Steve joins the podcast, discusses his journey with Greg and involvement in church boards. [00:02:15] - Importance of financial education for pastors. [00:05:29] - Discussion on ensuring transparency and understanding financial controls. [00:06:44] - Shift to policy governance, its benefits and pitfalls. [00:12:00] - Characteristics of an effective board member: encouragement, wise counsel, accountability. [00:14:49] - Ideal composition of a church board and strategic member selection. [00:19:04] - The personal connection between board members and their support for the leader. [00:22:11] - The role of a board in supporting personal and spiritual goals of the leader. [00:24:52] - Wrapping up, the joys and challenges of serving on a nonprofit board. [00:26:37] - Conclusion and thanks to Steve Porter. Connect with Greg and Stadia at https://stadia.org

This episode of "The Church Planting Podcast" features Carrie Williams, Executive Director of Exponential Next, discussing the challenges and strategies of engaging the next generation in church planting. Carrie shares her journey from personal transformation to leading church initiatives and highlights the importance of apprenticeship and internships to involve young people. The conversation also explores various innovative church planting modalities like micro churches and network churches, which align with the strengths and interests of younger generations. Greg Nettle and Carrie delve into how different approaches, including entrepreneurial and hybrid models, can adapt to contemporary challenges and opportunities in church growth and disciple-making. Connect with Greg and Stadia Church Planting: https://stadia.org Connect with Carrie and Exponential Next: https://www.exponential.org/next Episode Outline with Timestamps: [00:00:23] Introduction of Carrie Williams and her background [00:01:08] Carrie's journey into ministry and church planting [00:02:06] Challenges of engaging the next generation in church planting [00:03:16] Discussion on apprenticeship and internships for youth [00:04:12] Effective strategies for mobilizing young people [00:05:55] Innovations and new modalities in church planting discussed [00:07:17] Shift in church planter demographics and implications [00:09:39] Growth and potential of micro churches and network churches [00:14:00] The hybrid model of church network discussed [00:17:00] Exponential's Shark Tank and support for innovative projects [00:21:13] Discussion on generational differences and engaging young leaders [00:23:15] Future of Exponential and achieving the mission of church multiplication [00:24:34] Carrie's current engagements and recommendations

We're celebrating 100 episodes of The Church Planting Podcast by returning to the question that started it all: why church planting? Greg invites Paul Taylor, co-founder of Rivers Crossing Church in Cincinnati, to discuss their shared passion for church multiplication. They dive into Paul's journey from skepticism to deep faith and his subsequent dedication to church planting. The episode also highlights collaborative efforts like the Extraordinary Church Collective and strategic initiatives for global church growth. They discuss technological advances in church planting, including digital churches, and strategies for reducing overhead to maximize ministry impact. To connect with Stadia and learn more about how you can help start thriving, growing, multiplying churches for the next generation, visit Stadia Church Planting. Connect with Paul https://extraordinarychurchcollective.com/ https://riverscrossing.com/ Connect with Greg and Stadia https://stadia.org Episode Time and Topic Index [00:00:00] Introduction to the 100th episode and guest Paul Taylor [00:00:47] Paul Taylor's background and passion for church planting [00:02:00] Discussion on why church planting is effective for spreading the gospel [00:04:21] Paul's personal journey to becoming a church planter [00:07:00] The story of Rivers Crossing and its foundational principles [00:12:24] Evolution of church planting strategies and systems over the years [00:14:29] The impact of church planting on local and global scales [00:17:21] Future of digital church planting and resource allocation [00:21:04] Challenges facing church multiplication today [00:25:00] Fun segment on personal interests and readings [00:27:32] Closing remarks and reflections on the 100th episode

In this episode of "The Church Planting Podcast," host Greg Nettle reconnects with Gary Thomas, a prolific author known for works like Sacred Marriage and Cherish. They discuss the critical role of nurturing marital relationships amidst the pressures of church planting. Gary emphasizes the concept of "cherishing" over mere love, advocating for a deeper, more respectful partnership. The conversation covers practical advice on maintaining and enriching marriages, recognizing the challenges specific to those in ministry. They also delve into strategies to safeguard marriages against infidelity and the importance of genuine interaction within the marriage and in public perceptions. [00:00] - Introduction  [00:19] - Introduction of guest Gary Thomas, highlighting his contributions and publications. [01:04] - Gary shares personal anecdotes and the importance of marital health in church planting. [02:44] - Discussion on trends in marriage, particularly challenges faced by those in ministry. [04:58] - Deep dive into the concept of "cherishing" in marriage. [09:11] - Practical advice on transforming marriage by renewing perception and appreciation. [13:25] - Role of authenticity and safe spaces in strengthening marriage. [17:30] - Strategies for finishing well in marriage and ministry. [26:32] - Closing

Kevin and Kieran speak to Ellis Palmer about how clubs in England and across Europe are faring when it comes to stadium accessibility. Follow Kevin on X - @kevinhunterday Follow Kieran on X - @KieranMaguire Follow Producer Guy on X - @guykilty Follow The Price of Football on X - @pof_pod Send in a question: questions@priceoffootball.com Support The Price of Football on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/priceoffootball Check out the Price of Football merchandise store: https://the-price-of-football.backstreetmerch.com/ Visit the website: https://priceoffootball.com/ For sponsorship email - info@adelicious.fm The Price of Football is a Dap Dip production: https://dapdip.co.uk/ contact@dapdip.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greg discusses the integration of digital marketing and AI tools in church leadership with guest Kenny Jahng, a digital marketing expert and founder of AI for Church Leaders. They explore the misconceptions about marketing in church contexts, emphasizing the importance of adopting digital-first strategies to connect with communities effectively. Key topics include the role of websites as the "digital front door" to churches, the relevance of creating valuable online content, and the practical use of AI in sermon preparation and church management. Connect with Kenny: AI for Church Leaders ChurchTechToday, where Kenny serves as editor-in-chief Connect with Greg stadia.org Episode Index [00:00] Introduction  [01:06] Discussion on marketing in church contexts [02:18] Defining a "digital-first world" and its implications for churches [03:28] The concept of the digital front door and optimizing church websites [04:24] Strategies for engaging visitors through church websites [07:48] Integrating content and interaction in digital church strategies [12:53] Refreshing digital presence and maintaining a dynamic website [12:58] Introduction to AI for church leaders and its benefits [16:50] Exploring AI tools for sermon writing and church management [18:28] The Art of Engagement: a framework for effective digital outreach [24:28] Establishing authority and building trust through online presence [27:07] Closing thoughts and where to find Kenny Jahng online

Today we share an excellent interview between Crystal Chiang and Greg Nettle. Greg is the President of Stadia and host of our sister podcast the Church Planters Podcast. Crystal is the Executive Director of Leadership Training at Orange. Learn about the new metrics of ministry success. 

• Intro • Xbox Wrapped 2023 • PlayStation Wrapped 2023 • Nintendo Wrapped 2023 • Steam Wrapped 2023 • Most popular video game characters, according to P***hub • Insomniac Leaks • Evidence of Luigi in Mario 64? • Suicide Squad leaks • Naughty Dog officially cancels the Last of Us Online • A24 & Kojima making Death Stranding movie • Activision settles sexual harassment lawsuit • Hogwarts Legacy may be first best selling game not CoD/Rockstar made in 15 years • Max Payne voice actor passes away • Google extends Stadia controller conversion • TWEET OF THE WEEK • Q&A Streamed: December 19th, 2023 on http://twitch.tv/wulffden

On the last episode of 2023, Richard Campbell, Paul Thurrott, and Leo Laporte are joined by a lovely guest to look back (and look ahead) on Microsoft's progress and accomplishments. Between a Teams milestone, Meteor Lake chipset's release, AI music creation in Copilot, Bobby Kotick's upcoming exit, and Microsoft's Countdown Sale, there's plenty of news left to digest at the end of this eventful year! Happy holidays, dozers!  Windows 11/Microsoft 365 Microsoft will FINALLY fix the dumbest File Explorer bug of all - no, not that File Explorer bug Microsoft is suddenly deprecating tons of Windows features Windows Insider: Windows 11 Beta build 22635.2915 is the last Insider build of 2023. Nothing major: Voice access supports multiple displays, Windows 365 Boot and Windows 365 Switch from last week's Dev build, Notepad update with Notepad an "Edit with Notepad" item in the File Explorer context menu, and a character count display Microsoft Teams now has 320 million users, 2,000 apps in the Teams store, and over 145,000 custom line-of-business (LOB) apps built by enterprises AI Microsoft partners with Suno to bring music creation to Copilot - OH AND THERE ARE PLUG-INS THERE NOW TOO A few insider notes about this generation of Intel chips Intel's Core Ultra chipset is coming to Chromebooks too Look back/Look Ahead What's left to say Copilots? There are lots (at least announced) and even more are coming Is 2024 going to be the year of the AI PC? Or is this just another fad/bubble "Windows 12" or whatever the vNext is called: Huzzah! Ready or not, the new Outlook for Windows and new Teams are coming How will Activision Blizzard impact Xbox? Antitrust Activision Blizzard settles 2021 class action lawsuit that triggered the acquisition by Microsoft Bobby Kotick on the outs Dec 29 In wake of antitrust loss, Google also settles Play Store suit, will pay $700 million to victims Adobe bails on Figma. Just kidding! Xbox Leak shows that Sony is very worried about Xbox now Sony has sold 50 million PS5s, has outsold Xbox 3-to-1 in 2023 Google extends Stadia controller conversion timeline Tips and picks Tip of the week: Microsoft's Countdown sale brings big discounts to Xbox, Surface, more App pick of the week: MediaSorter RunAs Radio this week: Azure Arc Guest Configuration with Jodi Boone Enterprise pick of the week: Directions on Microsoft's got some (free) resources worth checking out Brown liquor pick of the week: The Spirit of Scotland 46 & Monkey Shoulder Beer pick of the week: Back Home Beer Yalda Queen Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Guest: Mary Jo Foley Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Sponsor: cachefly.com/twit

On the last episode of 2023, Richard Campbell, Paul Thurrott, and Leo Laporte are joined by a lovely guest to look back (and look ahead) on Microsoft's progress and accomplishments. Between a Teams milestone, Meteor Lake chipset's release, AI music creation in Copilot, Bobby Kotick's upcoming exit, and Microsoft's Countdown Sale, there's plenty of news left to digest at the end of this eventful year! Happy holidays, dozers!  Windows 11/Microsoft 365 Microsoft will FINALLY fix the dumbest File Explorer bug of all - no, not that File Explorer bug Microsoft is suddenly deprecating tons of Windows features Windows Insider: Windows 11 Beta build 22635.2915 is the last Insider build of 2023. Nothing major: Voice access supports multiple displays, Windows 365 Boot and Windows 365 Switch from last week's Dev build, Notepad update with Notepad an "Edit with Notepad" item in the File Explorer context menu, and a character count display Microsoft Teams now has 320 million users, 2,000 apps in the Teams store, and over 145,000 custom line-of-business (LOB) apps built by enterprises AI Microsoft partners with Suno to bring music creation to Copilot - OH AND THERE ARE PLUG-INS THERE NOW TOO A few insider notes about this generation of Intel chips Intel's Core Ultra chipset is coming to Chromebooks too Look back/Look Ahead What's left to say Copilots? There are lots (at least announced) and even more are coming Is 2024 going to be the year of the AI PC? Or is this just another fad/bubble "Windows 12" or whatever the vNext is called: Huzzah! Ready or not, the new Outlook for Windows and new Teams are coming How will Activision Blizzard impact Xbox? Antitrust Activision Blizzard settles 2021 class action lawsuit that triggered the acquisition by Microsoft Bobby Kotick on the outs Dec 29 In wake of antitrust loss, Google also settles Play Store suit, will pay $700 million to victims Adobe bails on Figma. Just kidding! Xbox Leak shows that Sony is very worried about Xbox now Sony has sold 50 million PS5s, has outsold Xbox 3-to-1 in 2023 Google extends Stadia controller conversion timeline Tips and picks Tip of the week: Microsoft's Countdown sale brings big discounts to Xbox, Surface, more App pick of the week: MediaSorter RunAs Radio this week: Azure Arc Guest Configuration with Jodi Boone Enterprise pick of the week: Directions on Microsoft's got some (free) resources worth checking out Brown liquor pick of the week: The Spirit of Scotland 46 & Monkey Shoulder Beer pick of the week: Back Home Beer Yalda Queen Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Guest: Mary Jo Foley Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Sponsor: cachefly.com/twit

Leo, Paul, and Richard talk about the end of free Windows 7/8 to Windows 10/11 upgrades using retail product keys. They also examine Chromebook Plus, Google's new premium Chromebooks aimed at gaming via cloud streaming services. This highlights issues with Google's disjointed strategies after killing Stadia. Plus, insights from the Google antitrust lawsuit, including testimony from Microsoft and Apple executives on partnerships and search dominance. This sparks debate on whether a Bing improvement could ever rival Google. The episode explores concerns around growing subscription costs, ecosystem lock-in, and how technology often complicates rather than eases life today. Windows 11 Microsoft is killing free upgrades from Windows 7 and 8.x And yes, that means those product keys will stop working Windows 11 Insider Preview: Copilot comes to Alt + Tab, more File Explorer fixes Windows 11 Field Guide is getting free updates for 23H2, of course Join the Release Preview channel, you'll (probably) be upgraded to 23H2 and/or (most) new features Windows Backup is already here. But what is it? And what might it become? OneDrive is among the things getting worse in this release. And it's a problem Google announces Chromebook Plus, New Material You design is available now to all AI/Microsoft 365 Satya Nadella admits under oath that AI-powered Bing has not improved its usage share in the slightest Also, Microsoft tried to sell Bing to Apple Apple never seriously considered switching to, let alone buying, Bing Microsoft announces the next generation OneDrive across businesses and consumers Microsoft Lists for consumers comes to mobile, finally Bing Image Creator gets a big DALL-E 3 update. And it is amazing Surface Surface Laptop Studio 2 and Laptop Go 3 are now available Xbox Here are the first Xbox Game Pass titles for October Sony PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan is retiring Layoffs at Epic Tips and Picks Tip of the week: The great ensh*ttification reset App pick of the week: ScanSpeeder RunAs Radio this week: Episode 900! Brown liquor pick of the week: Upshot Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Sponsor: cs.co/twit

The Verge's Nilay Patel, Alex Cranz, and David Pierce discuss all the announcements from Amazon's fall product launch event and Microsoft's Surface and AI event. Further reading: Amazon's fall 2023 product launch event: live news, announcements, and more Amazon is set to supercharge Alexa with generative AI  The Fire TV should be at the heart of Amazon's smart home  The new $269.99 Echo Frames look a whole lot more like glasses.  Alexa Eye Gaze offers a new way to control Alexa on a Fire tablet  In the new Echo Show 8, Alexa will be 40 percent faster.  Finally some hardware...for kids. YouTube is going all in on AI with background and video topic suggestions YouTube made a video editing app — just like TikTok  Microsoft Surface event: the 6 biggest announcements  Microsoft's new Xbox controller borrows great ideas from Stadia, Steam, and Sony This is Microsoft's new disc-less Xbox Series X design with a lift-to-wake controller Microsoft's next Xbox, coming 2028, envisions hybrid computing Microsoft addresses the huge Xbox leaks: here's Phil Spencer's full memo Microsoft's Phil Spencer says acquiring Nintendo would be ‘a career moment'  Microsoft announces the Surface Laptop Studio 2 with upgraded chips and ports A first look at Microsoft's upgraded Surface Laptop Studio 2  Microsoft announces the new Surface Laptop Go 3 Hands-on with the Surface Laptop Go 3  The Surface Go 4 comes with a much-needed performance boost  Microsoft 365 Copilot launches in November Windows 11's next big update arrives on September 26th with Copilot, RAR support, and more Microsoft announces Surface Hub 3 with portrait mode  The cable bundle of the future is officially here Google's Bard chatbot can now find answers in your Gmail, Docs, Drive The Home Assistant Green is here to make the most powerful smart home platform more accessible Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices