This week on BlackBox, we’re covering a lot of ground:

• How to build real leadership — and what to do when you have to rebuild trust and culture from scratch.

• Do you actually need two kick drum mics? Or are we all just flexing?

• What the MrBeast live stream teaches us about innovation, attention, and pulling off high-pressure moments.

• Plus, some Severance spoilers (you’ve been warned) and why the best leaders notice when things start to slip.

If you care about church production, creative leadership, and running live events at a high level, you’re in the right spot.

BlackBox is the #1 podcast for church production leaders, audio engineers, and worship tech teams who want real talk, real strategy, and practical ideas to lead with confidence behind the scenes.

We go full throttle through some of the biggest production moments of the season—NAB, Coachella, and Easter. From cinematic broadcast trends in church to the sheer scale and precision of Coachella, we’re breaking down what’s worth paying attention to—and what’s just noise. We talk shop on the latest gear, what inspired us, and talk about the future of church content. If you’re leading in church production, creative direction, or broadcast, this one’s a must. Don’t fall behind.

We’re coming in hot with a conversation that matters: excellence in church production and creative leadership.

Too often, mediocrity hides behind spiritual language. But let’s be real—excellence reflects the character of God. It’s not about perfection; it’s about intention, discipline, and grit. At Black Box, we don’t make excuses for half-effort. We sweat the small stuff because we believe worship deserves our best.

And we’re fired up to introduce Brian Tru—a new voice on the pod and a vital piece of the Black Box crew. Brian’s cut his teeth through every production role imaginable, from semis and stage plots to FOH and broadcast. He’s lived it all, never settled, and leads with quiet strength and clarity. On top of that, he’s rooted in the Gospel genre, bringing the heart and heritage of that sound into everything he touches.

This one’s for anyone who feels the tension between high standards and servant-hearted ministry. We don’t excuse mediocrity. We fight for better. Let’s move.

In this kickoff episode, Lee, Tyler, Shep, and Brad sit down to unpack what Black Box is all about—how it started, why it matters, and where it’s heading. If you're a church production leader, creative pastor, or executive leader navigating the world of worship, tech, environments and communication, this is the behind-the-scenes look you’ve been waiting for.

We get honest about the gaps we’ve seen in church production and creative leadership—and how Black Box is stepping in to offer real solutions, conversations, and community. This episode sets the tone for what’s coming: raw takes, helpful tools, and a shared desire to help the Church move forward with clarity and excellence.