Crucifying Speed to See God Redeem Your Failures with Phil Vischer

You need to slow down.

So many leaders are driven by the fear of falling behind, convinced that impact requires urgency. And in the frantic pace of the modern world, we forget that God never told us to sprint ahead; he invited us to walk alongside him.

In the final episode of Season 6 of The Disrupters podcast, host Nicole Martin sits down with author, speaker, filmmaker, and VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer. In their conversation, Phil shares about the rapid rise and rapid fall of Big Idea Productions. He opens up about how speed became his idol and how slowing down has allowed God to redeem his failures. Now, as co-host of The Holy Post podcast and a storyteller for the next generation, Phil reflects on what it means to follow Jesus without being consumed by a relentless need to hurry.


Throughout their conversation, Phil warns listeners about the pressures of staying ahead and the toxic pace of modern ministry. From identity to insecurity, performance to obedience, this episode is a powerful reminder that you don’t need to impress God. You just need to patiently walk with him.

When we crucify speed, we find the joy, peace, and purpose only God’s pace can provide.

Tune in now to learn how slowing down might be the most faithful thing you can do as a leader.

This episode highlights the following themes:

✅ Crucifying speed in a culture addicted to hurry
✅ Redefining our failure and success through God’s eyes
✅ Obedience always outweighs outcomes

Links from the episode:

✅ Discover more about Phil Vischer (www.philvischer.com/)
✅ Learn more about Nicole Martin (www.ivpress.com/nicole-massie-martin)
✅ Read Nicole Martin's book: Nailing It (www.ivpress.com/nailing-it)
✅ Read the transcript here (drive.google.com/file/d/1n-szl18ItIscukvo6DFmZxzzdhmyCCB_/view)

Credits:

✅Special offer: Visit ivpress.com (ivpress.com) and use the code IVPOD25 for 25% off any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.
✅Producers: Jack Reece and Travis Albritton
✅Executive Producer: Helen Lee
✅Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts (honestpodcasts.com/)
✅Social Media Manager: Allie Noble
✅Production Assistant: Christine Pelliccio Melo
✅Podcast Art: Kate Lillard
✅Theme Song: "Something Else" by Nu Alkemi$t

=== Time Stamps ===

00:00 – Introduction
02:33 – Meet Phil Vischer
06:41 – Trying Too Hard to Do Something Big for God
10:30 – When Phil’s Company Crashed
15:20 – God Cares More About Obedience Than Success
18:00 – Rethinking What It Means to Be “Called”
23:00 – Feeling Pressure to Succeed
28:00 – God Doesn’t Need You, He Just Wants You
32:00 – How to Tell If You’re Burned Out
37:00 – You Can’t Rush What Matters
44:00 – Lead Without Chasing the Dream
47:00 – When You Lead While Still Feeling Hurt

Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.