What if praise was never meant to be a warm-up for worship?

In this episode of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, Alexander Pappas—founding member of Hillsong Young & Free and writer of songs like Alive, Wake, Real Love, and Echo—shares a passionate and deeply personal conversation about worship, grace, repentance, and the transformational power of praise.

After years of leading worship around the world, Alexander opens up about the tension between confidence and humility, conviction and shame, and why praise is more than fast songs and high energy—it’s a spiritual posture that changes us from the inside out.

He also shares the heart behind his new EP Sunday, the stories that shaped songs like It Is So Sweet, and why worship gatherings should equip believers for the other six days of the week.

This conversation will challenge the way you think about worship—and remind you why praise still matters.

Guest Bio

Alexander Pappas is a world-renowned worship leader, songwriter, and founding member of the twice GRAMMY-nominated band Hillsong Young & Free. He is best known for writing songs including Alive, Wake, Real Love, Echo (Elevation Worship), and A Great Awakening. Alexander currently lives in Los Angeles and also serves as a contributor with Lakewood Music. His latest EP, Sunday, explores worship not just as a church experience, but as a lifestyle lived throughout the week.

Episode Highlights
Why praise is more than emotional hype
Alexander explains how praise shifts our hearts into agreement with God’s truth
The difference between conviction and shame
How grace changes the way believers process failure and growth
Why worship should prepare you for Monday—not just Sunday
The deeper heart behind his new EP Sunday
The danger of treating praise like a warm-up
Why fast songs still matter in modern worship culture
How songs shape spiritual formation
“Music connects our emotions to our intellect.”

Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it today at https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk

What if praise was never meant to be a warm-up for worship?
In this episode of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, Alexander Pappas&mdash;founding member of Hillsong Young &amp; Free and writer of songs like Alive, Wake, Real Love, and Echo&mdash;shares a passionate and deeply personal conversation about worship, grace, repentance, and the transformational power of praise.
After years of leading worship around the world, Alexander opens up about the tension between confidence and humility, conviction and shame, and why praise is more than fast songs and high energy&mdash;it&rsquo;s a spiritual posture that changes us from the inside out.
He also shares the heart behind his new EP Sunday, the stories that shaped songs like It Is So Sweet, and why worship gatherings should equip believers for the other six days of the week.
This conversation will challenge the way you think about worship&mdash;and remind you why praise still matters.
<hr data-start="1409" data-end="1412">
Guest Bio
Alexander Pappas is a world-renowned worship leader, songwriter, and founding member of the twice GRAMMY-nominated band Hillsong Young &amp; Free. He is best known for writing songs including Alive, Wake, Real Love, Echo (Elevation Worship), and A Great Awakening. Alexander currently lives in Los Angeles and also serves as a contributor with Lakewood Music. His latest EP, Sunday, explores worship not just as a church experience, but as a lifestyle lived throughout the week.
<hr data-start="1920" data-end="1923">
Episode Highlights
<ul data-start="1952" data-end="2706">
<li data-section-id="m54gzw" data-start="1952" data-end="2118">Why praise is more than emotional hype Alexander explains how praise shifts our hearts into agreement with God&rsquo;s truth</li>
<li data-section-id="l97z8l" data-start="2120" data-end="2274">The difference between conviction and shame How grace changes the way believers process failure and growth</li>
<li data-section-id="97w9db" data-start="2276" data-end="2425">Why worship should prepare you for Monday&mdash;not just Sunday The deeper heart behind his new EP Sunday</li>
<li data-section-id="emwv7g" data-start="2427" data-end="2573">The danger of treating praise like a warm-up Why fast songs still matter in modern worship culture</li>
<li data-section-id="1s1aazo" data-start="2575" data-end="2706">How songs shape spiritual formation &ldquo;Music connects our emotions to our intellect.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="2993" data-end="2996">
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it today at&nbsp;<a data-start="3186" data-end="3272">https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=thewalk</a>

Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network, The Walk is a weekly devotional podcast where faith meets story in powerful, personal ways.

Each episode features a first-person devotional from a worship leader, pastor, artist, or creative—believers who don’t just lead worship, but live it. These aren’t interviews; they’re heartfelt testimonies about walking with God in the highs and lows, the mundane and miraculous.

Produced by Worship Leader Magazine, a trusted resource in worship ministry for over 30 years, The Walk equips and encourages worshipers to cultivate a lifestyle of Spirit-led worship beyond the platform.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, these stories will help you walk closer with Jesus.

Explore every episode:worshipleader.com/podcasts

Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network, The Walk is a weekly devotional podcast where faith meets story in powerful, personal ways.
Each episode features a first-person devotional from a worship leader, pastor, artist, or creative&mdash;believers who don&rsquo;t just lead worship, but live it. These aren&rsquo;t interviews; they&rsquo;re heartfelt testimonies about walking with God in the highs and lows, the mundane and miraculous.
Produced by Worship Leader Magazine, a trusted resource in worship ministry for over 30 years, The Walk equips and encourages worshipers to cultivate a lifestyle of Spirit-led worship beyond the platform.
Whether you&rsquo;re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, these stories will help you walk closer with Jesus.
Explore every episode: <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcasts/" data-start="1072" data-end="1137">worshipleader.com/podcasts</a>

Worship Leaders are more than just musicians and performers. These leaders and creatives walk with God daily and can bring a good word to the Body of Christ.

The Walk: A Devotional Podcast from Worship Leader Magazine

The Walk Podcast shares real conversations with worshippers—moments when faith was tested, obedience cost something, and God showed up.

You’ll hear the struggle.
You’ll hear the choice.
You’ll hear what God did.

Because faith isn’t just a moment—it’s a walk. And you don’t have to walk it alone.

Hosted by Bay Turner
Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network

Explore every episode: worshipleader.com/podcasts
Learn more: worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk
Subscribe on your favorite platform: pod.link/1631583177

The Walk Podcast shares real conversations with worshippers&mdash;moments when faith was tested, obedience cost something, and God showed up.
You&rsquo;ll hear the struggle. You&rsquo;ll hear the choice. You&rsquo;ll hear what God did.
Because faith isn&rsquo;t just a moment&mdash;it&rsquo;s a walk. And you don&rsquo;t have to walk it alone.
Hosted by <a href="https://www.bayturner.com/">Bay Turner</a> Part of the <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcasts/">Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network</a>
Explore every episode: <a href="https://www.worshipleader.com/podcasts" data-start="773" data-end="841">worshipleader.com/podcasts</a> Learn more: <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk" data-start="856" data-end="936">worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk</a> Subscribe on your favorite platform: <a href="https://pod.link/1631583177" data-start="976" data-end="1026">pod.link/1631583177</a>

The Walk Podcast: Faith in the Real World

Alexander Pappas: Worship Isn’t Just for Sunday

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/c0476a50-ac5b-42f6-bbd2-b4490000b322/transcript