Christian Life Calling

Have you ever met someone who knows how to smile in the midst of a storm? Life's trials and traumas cannot destroy a person who remains present. Being present requires awareness, trust, and faith. You gain freedom from lingering fear, comparison, and suffering the moment you ground yourself in the present. Terri Johnson is an inspiring example of being present. She conquered challenging situations throughout her life, which brought her closer to Christ. Now, at this time in her life, Terri faces an entirely new challenge as she deals with a cancer diagnosis. Most people become discouraged after such news. For Terri, she sees it as another opportunity for Christ to show up in her life. She is a person who can find her smile in the midst of uncertainty. In this episode, we talk about Terri's life and how to be present in suffering. Terri says that being present is not always easy, but her life proves it's possible. Over the years, she learned to be more intentional and vulnerable in her humbling journey. She ties her experiences to her relationship with God where she takes life day by day. Terri also talks about the evidence of Christ's work throughout her life and how being present helps her create support for herself. Listen as we discuss how God works everything out, especially when we can't seem to predict the outcome. Time stamps: [02:13] - Terri Johnson describes how her life is a tangle of suffering and positivity. [05:02] - “I had to learn to live one day at a time.” [07:17] - Terri tells the story of receiving her cancer diagnosis. [10:15] - What were Terri's first thoughts after her diagnosis? [12:40] - “I had to learn to ask for help.” [14:46] - Terri says she made a decision that not everyone agreed with. What happened? [17:12] - Trust God to stay aligned with your Calling. [19:30] - Despite uncertainty, you can move forward day by day with confidence. [22:08] - God will take care of everything. Terri shares her perspective on how everything works out no matter the outcome. [24:16] - What does Terri do to adjust to her life now? [26:35] - Terri is exploring what it means to live well and take care of herself. Was there any idea she had to unlearn or shift? [29:49] - At this time, what lesson stands out to Terri the most? Links: Card Deck: Life Calling Questions Christian Life Calling Chris Heinz Terri's CaringBridge

A lot of people blindly seek external validation and external purpose first, but this rootless pursuit ends up short-lived. In fact, any pursuit of Calling is shallow if you don't go internally first to figure out your gifts and who you are in Christ. Being curious about how a thing is made shows the intention of its purpose. Likewise, knowing yourself helps you direct your life with stronger discernment. Teresa McCloy is a Coach, Speaker, Podcaster, Trainer and Creator of the REALIFE Process® helping people to get a handle on life. She is  also the author of Do What Matters: Live From Rest, Not Rush, Using The REALIFE Process. Teresa walks in faithfulness and obedience as she shares her work with coaches, mentors, and other helpers who want to add the REALIFE Process® to their teachings. In this episode, we talk about Teresa's life management process and the spiritual practices under the process. Teresa shares how you can organize your life to prioritize what's meaningful to you, and honor the life you create in partnership with God. We find the foundation of knowing who we are and whose we are allows us to live out our Calling. Listen as we discuss life tools such as the Rule of Life concept, the foundational triangle, and living from rest. Time stamps: [00:22] - Teresa McCloy brings her insight on how to live from rest, not rush. [02:00] - Why did Teresa write this book? [04:43] - Teresa looks back on the spirals of her life, and what made her realize she wanted a different path.  [07:43] - Where does the life management framework come from? [09:39] - Teresa talks about living from rest where work and ease coexist. [11:47] - You get to pre-decide what you say “Yes” or “No” to in life. [13:14] - What is a “Rule of Life?” [16:01] - In what ways can the “Rule of Life” concept apply to your routines? [18:02] - Teresa describes how you can categorize your life and prioritize what's meaningful. [20:51] - Calling comes from both “being” and “doing.” [23:38] - You're never too old for self discovery. [26:36] - It's okay to experiment with how you live out your core Calling. [29:28] - Your Calling can be different from season to season. [31:07] - “We have to know what the motivation is.” [33:16] - Managing your life is a lot like caring for a garden. [36:16] - There is nothing new under the sun, but the delivery can differ. [38:30] - This is how you do what matters. Links: Card Deck: Life Calling Questions Christian Life Calling Chris Heinz Teresa McCloy Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Do What Matters Pre-order Bonuses Do What Matters: Live From Rest, Not Rush, Using The REALIFE Process

What do you expect living your Calling to be like? Most people naturally say it's a life where everything feels aligned and at ease. They would not be wrong, however, let's not forget that another side of Calling exists. Living your Calling includes the struggles of carrying your purpose out. Take the Apostle Paul for instance. He specifically writes that Calling brings struggle, toil, and labor. He reflects on the gift of being called by God to persist in his purpose. Are you struggling in your Calling? If you are, remember that God commissioned you for this unique role. In this episode, we're talking about struggle and Calling. We'll read through Colossians 1:25 to 2:3 where the Apostle Paul reflects on his commitment to honor God despite life's struggles. This talk gives a moment to understand Paul's journey with his Calling, Christ's role in this journey, and your journey with your Calling. We reflect on these themes to bring clarity and meaning in our faithful pursuit of Calling. Listen as we discuss struggle, labor, and the strength God gives you to move forward. Time stamps: [00:22] - Many people think Calling brings only ease. Is it true? [02:29] - Similar to Paul, we are commissioned by God. [04:18] - Do you know the activities you will use to carry out your Calling? Paul outlines how he takes action in today's scripture. [06:15] - Labor and strive towards your Calling. [07:50] - Be encouraged and affirm your Calling. What could this mean for you? [10:06] - What have you been commissioned to do? [11:39] - Don't suffer for no reason. [14:01] - Strive for your Calling with the strength God gives you. Links: Christian Life Calling Chris Heinz Do You Know Why Christ Is Supreme? [Bookmark Download] 42: 12 Reasons Christ Deserves First Place

Christ is first in everything. We know this, but it can be lost in distractions or interpretations. This conversation goes through the 12 reasons Christ deserves first place. Life Calling is based on our unique position in God's plan. We would be without form, reason, or purpose if not for Christ. Everything we know that's seen and unseen moves towards Christ, but how often do you reflect on why Christ comes first?  In this episode, we reflect on 12 reasons taken straight from Colossians 1:15-20. As you meditate on this section, it can make you rethink how you relate to your struggles, your work, and the ways you show up in the world. We may not understand, but Christ is in the role of knowing and reconciling.  Before we begin, here is an overview of the 12 reasons Christ deserves first place: Christ is the image of the invisible God. Christ is the firstborn over all creation. Christ is the creator of everything. Christ is the focus of creation. Christ is before all things. Christ holds all things together. Christ is the head of the church. Christ is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead. Christ will have first place in everything. Christ is the fullness of God. Christ reconciles us to God. Christ makes peace by his shed blood on the cross. Listen as we discuss these 12 reasons, and better understand our relation to Christ.  Time stamps: [00:22] - Christ is the point of Christianity. [03:20] - Why do people become uncomfortable when we talk about God and Christ? [05:12] - Have you heard this new breakdown of biblical content? [08:10] - Christ is the unveiled mystery. [10:23] - Not only did Christ have a hand in creation, but Christ is the focus of creation. [12:40] - Christ is the head of the church above any subculture formed by human interpretation. [15:00] - Christ is the fullness of God. [17:38] - Christ makes peace like no one else could. [19:55] - How can you reflect on these 12 reasons? Links: Christian Life Calling Chris Heinz

Today's episode is the first conversation under the Christian Life Calling podcast. This comforting and honest talk is directly with your host, Chris Heinz.  While doing this podcast, faith came up often in our discussions of purpose and service. Our shared experiences show that Life Calling is deeply personal like faith. For Christians, Life Calling is guided by faith. God equips us and appoints us to our Callings to serve his purposes, not our own. Ultimately, Life Calling is a unique role of service in God's plan. This episode is to explain why we're changing our focus. Our focus at the Christian Life Calling podcast is to help you find your place in God's plan and keep Jesus first. We're going to freely talk about how a faith-first approach relates to you fulfilling your Life Calling. Listen as we welcome challenge and revelation in these conversations where we put Jesus first in our Christian pursuit of Life Calling. We're starting today! Time stamps: [00:22] - What's the new path we're on? [03:02] - I explain the new focus of the Christian Life Calling podcast. [05:27] - Live a life worthy of the Calling you have received. [07:16] - It's hard to pursue Life Calling as a Christian without a Christian viewpoint. [09:56] - Where there's freedom, there's flow. [12:50] - Find your place in the grand plan. [14:30] - Release into new things. Links: Christian Life Calling Chris Heinz

Today's episode is a special compilation of episode highlights and a celebration of a new transition.  It's been a few months since we last released a podcast episode. In that time, life transformed. My family and I moved to Virginia, I launched a new website, and Life Calling Today went through a brand change. I'm grateful for the former season, but I have dreams for this next season. This is the last episode under our current branding and current name. We are transitioning to focus more on a Christian approach to Life Calling. The new name for our show will be Christian Life Calling podcast to align more closely with our new Christian Life Calling Institute. We wanted to take this time to let everyone know what to expect as we make this change.  Listen as we celebrate Life Calling Today with 12 guest clips that offer tips, insights, and personal stories of Life Calling. Let's walk together to the next season of our purpose with Christian Life Calling. Time stamps: [00:18] - What has everyone been up to these days? [02:40] - Dr. Dave White gives you tips to start a new period of transformation. [06:50] - Michael Pfau explains why coaching is different from mentoring. [11:09] - Dr. Stephanie Shackelford uncovers research findings on Calling and career.  [14:44] - Steve Heinz offers his insights about Calling coming in different seasons. [20:26] - Ron Sweetman talks about powerful assessments, such as the PathwayU Assessment. [25:47] - Janet Mylin provides the connection between motherhood and supporting children as they take on the real world. [30:27] - Deborah Koehn Loyd defines a vocational credo which helps clarify a life purpose. [34:06] - David Bryant calls for an awakening in this world, and explains why one is needed. [39:10] - Dannah Gresh sheds light on why pain can be an indicator or direction for Calling. [43:32] - Matt Eby gets honest about confronting and embracing painful events. [49:22] - Jo Self shares how practical strengths can apply to different sections of life and ripple into other lives. [53:47] - Bryan Ray encourages everyone to follow what is calling them, even if it feels a little uncomfortable. [57:20] - Thank you to all our guests, and thank you for listening! Links: Four Surprises When We Moved to Virginia Christian Life Calling Chris Heinz Full Episodes: 28: Dave White 29: Michael Pfau 30: Stephanie Shackelford 31: Steve Heinz 32: Ron Sweetman 33: Janet Mylin 34: Deborah Koehn Loyd 35: David Bryant 36: Dannah Gresh 37: Matt Eby 38: Jo Self 39: Bryan Ray

A career can oftentimes be a package deal of the calling and gifts you have for the world. Your way of being contributes to the role you play in your company, organization, or community. When you're first starting out it all seems random, but you realize how it all fits as the bigger picture is revealed. Today, we talk about understanding calling in your 20s. Bryan Ray graduated from Penn State in 2020, and he is now a graduate architect at Hoffman Leakey Architects. In addition to working full-time at the firm, Bryan is also studying for his professional license exams. His story obtains several keys for finding meaningful work and calling. He is bringing a unique perspective around career, calling, path, and purpose. Bryan feels that architecture fits with his strategic and analytical side, while also fulfilling his more artistic side. The blend of these skills made an architecture career a great opportunity for exercising his creativity and his drive to bring ideas to life. Bryan always showed signs that he would go into architecture. He drew floor plans and pictures of houses while growing up. His natural pull to architecture became more and more clear as he engaged his interests.  Listen as Bryan talks about his holistic view to career, fulfilling a calling, and building a life. He intentionally fosters other parts of his life to make sure his career ambitions don't overshadow the other things that sees as important, such as loved ones and enjoying life. During the conversation, Bryan also shares some of the trials and errors of getting a step closer to his calling. He looks back on the choices and mindsets he transitioned through as he learned more about what he wanted. Bryan's perspective is not only useful for his fellow mid-20s peers, but for anyone shaping or reshaping their life to package their calling and purpose. Time stamps: [01:22] - Bryan Ray explains how he figured out that he wanted to do architecture. How did his interests show up in his life growing up? [03:46] - Bryan talks about how he likes to exercise his creativity around his interests. There are different ways to engage your natural gifts. [06:23] - How does architecture combine Bryan's main interests? [08:07] - Bryan shares why he felt behind when seeing the skill level of his art peers. [10:03] - What did a professor say to Bryan that encouraged a more open view on creativity?  [12:24] - Bryan recalls how his early, real-life experiences in the architecture field became his career advantage. [14:08] - Being competitive by nature, is Bryan ever too hard on himself? How does he persevere? [15:55] - Bryan recalls how he got his first official role in architecture. [18:37] - Great things can come after taking a leap. [20:14] - Bryan describes the feeling of the small details that bring a space together in architecture. [22:38] - What are the lessons that Bryan learned in his 20s so far? [25:05] - How does Bryan foster the other important parts of his life, like loved ones and self care? [28:05] - Bryan talks about not allowing your career to overtake life itself. [29:48] - Bryan shares the figures he observed in his life to learn what path he can take in architecture. [31:58] - Bryan wants to be a welcoming and encouraging mentor for others looking to get involved in architecture. [33:54] - There's hidden creativity in all of us. [36:13] - How does Bryan define a calling? [38:14] - Bryan says you shouldn't be afraid to follow your interests, even if you follow it awkwardly at first. [40:30] - There are hundreds of ways to live out your calling. Sometimes it takes trial and error to find which way works for you at this point of life. [42:30] - Bryan explores what values he displays. What does Bryan value? Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Bryan Ray Hoffman Leakey Architects

Strengths, which align with your innate talents, allow you to see multiple paths for living your calling. You can follow different paths since your strengths relate to the motives that help you carry out an action, rather than the logic directing you on which action to take. Even in your free time, your strengths are influencing your behavior and choices. Today, we talk about Practical Strengths for your calling. Jo Self is on a mission to ensure talent is not wasted, potential is realized, and happiness is contagious. She has a diverse background in business, which includes developing award-winning employee programs for international brands, starting her own event business, and after moving to Peru from the US, creating a tourism business that was recognized as a top startup in that country. In 2015, Jo had a revelation that changed everything and set her on a new path.  In 2021, Jo published her first book in the Practical Strengths series, Practical Strengths: Parenting: A CliftonStrengths® Guide for Everyday Ways. She recently published her second book in the series, Practical Strengths: Career Success: A CliftonStrengths® Guide for Everyday Ways. At this point, Jo understands that her diverse career has a common thread in its nonlinear path. Reflecting on life experiences, Jo emphasizes that your purpose is in your strengths. If you want to feel more aligned to your life, there is a need to understand your strengths and figure out how to apply them. Jo uses her personal talents to explain to everyone how strengths don't work alone in isolation, but together throughout separate aspects of life. Listen as Jo talks about her Practical Strengths series and her journey as one of the first Spanish-speaking Gallup® Certified Strengths Coaches. Knowing your strengths will help you understand the way you interact with others. It's a way to give yourself and others grace, and avoid possible stress or conflict.  More than that, your strengths help you recognize the roles that let you thrive. Jo uses personal experiences in this episode, so you may find this conversation particularly helpful if you share similar strengths with Jo: Strategic, Activator, Maximizer, Communication, Ideation.  Consider how the strengths affect all aspects of your life for you to fully live your purpose. Being aware of how you operate is personal leverage to propel you forward. Time stamps: [01:57] - Jo Self understands that her diverse career has a common thread in its nonlinear path. [03:56] - The universe will give you feathers and bricks.  [06:55] - Jo talks about trusting the process of her life, and not having regrets. [08:25] - What does it mean when work is not just a job, but a calling? [10:18] - Jo shares her experience of working with Spanish-speaking communities around strengths and talents. [13:08] - What are Jo's top talent themes? [15:23] - Knowing your strengths will help you understand the way you interact with others. [17:43] - People can share the same talent theme, but relate to the talent differently. [20:14] - Be conscious of your strengths, and learn how to present them for others to join you. [23:10] - Design flows from intention. [25:16] - Why did Jo write the Practical Strengths series? [28:06] - Jo believes the 34 strengths can unlock a new way for how people relate to one another. [30:49] - Strengths don't tell you what to do, but do inform how you choose to complete the action. [33:47] - Jo explores the differences in how a talent can appear in separate aspects of our lives. [35:27] - Jo talks through how the Maximizer shows up in the workplace. [36:59] - You can make the most of your talents. [38:51] - Know what you need in your role and environment to help you keep showing up as your best every day. [40:49] - Strengths allow you to see multiple paths for living your calling. [42:41] - Jo gives an example of reframing your strengths to communicate the value you bring to a workplace. [45:13] - Jo says that self-awareness with self-appreciation is what becomes confidence. [47:21] - What does Jo want to be known for? [49:59] - What kind of mark do you want to leave on the world? Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Jo Self Practical Strengths: Parenting: A CliftonStrengths© Guide for Everyday Ways Practical Strengths: Career Success: A CliftonStrengths® Guide for Everyday Ways Episode 14: Aligning Your Career with Your Calling | Jennifer Vancil

When you are in hard times, where do you pull your strength from? Being in hard times makes us feel we need something larger than ourselves. People pull help from rage and regret, or sometimes, people pull help from love and compassion. During a tiresome journey, where can our help come from? Today, we talk about touching cancer. Born in the United States, Matt Eby now lives in Australia fulfilling the purpose of helping others. He really gives his life for service to people that need compassion, understanding, or empathy. Matt is currently serving at The Leukaemia Foundation where he works alongside people who are living with blood cancer. Over the years, Matt also supported families in the foster care system, served as a house parent for Aboriginal teenage boys, and managed a branch for a rental car agency. He has a natural gift for supporting individuals that need a dose of humanity, which fits his college degree in behavioral health. Matt knows how to set a goal and execute. Following his curiosity, Matt goes from role to role where he feels called at that time. He believes in trial runs when transitioning into a new role or new interest. This helps him get rid of other options that don't align with where he's heading. One day, Matt found himself working with The Leukaemia Foundation and reflecting more deeply on life and purpose. He shares how the experience teaches him more about himself and humanity. Listen as Matt talks about the humanity he witnessed while working with cancer patients, and how he was able to show up for the patients he interacted with. Matt often used his personal connection to cancer to empathize with patients. He cultivated a healthy relationship with his past trauma but understood that it's not a sustainable source for supporting others. Matt shares how his faith became a new resource for him to pull from when supporting cancer patients.  Matt says that his faith became a new lens for how he views life and his role in life. Whether we are in hard times or helping someone else in their journey, we also need help to show up fully and persevere. Where does our help come from? Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Time stamps: [01:16] - Matt Eby recalls how he met Chris as a server during breakfast. [03:22] - What made Matt move to Australia? What are the biggest differences? [05:19] - Matt says it took three years to get a hang of Australian jargon, but he loves the differences and diversity. [07:12] - Matt explains why he believes in trial runs when transitioning into a new role or new interest. [10:11] - How did Matt get his start at the Leukaemia Foundation? [13:07] - Seeing people in their journey made Matt reflect more deeply on life and purpose. [15:43] - Matt talks about a small act of kindness he shared with a patient that left an impression on him. [18:18] - Has he ever seen that patient again? [20:01] - Matt shares the heartwarming event that happened one year after the patient's death. [22:44] - What is it like to be a house parent for Aboriginal teenagers? [25:42] - Matt shares how he used his personal connection to cancer to help others in their cancer journeys. [28:27] - Becoming a believer became a resource for Matt to deal with hard times. [31:13] - Matt talks about how to recognize which portion of life is Life Calling. [34:10] - What is Matt's Life Calling? [36:57] - Matt says his faith became a new lens for how he views life and his role in life. [38:36] - Matt imagines what he would do with time off if he could do anything. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Matt Eby LinkedIn The Leukaemia Foundation

Don't be afraid of the messy pieces of your story. People often don't understand each other, not realizing that we all have a messy story that needs grace. Like a mom and daughter trying to understand each other while dealing with their own lives. Today, we talk about connecting moms and daughters through accepting life's imperfect story. Dannah Gresh is the best-selling author of over 30 books for teens, tweens, and their parents (written in both English and Spanish). Dannah is a highly sought-after speaker for conferences, weekend retreats, and online Bible studies. She's also heard every day on the Revive Our Hearts podcast. Dannah is the leader of the True Girl Ministry, which connects the hearts of moms and daughters to each other (and with Jesus). In addition, Dannah is the co-founder of Grace Prep, a stellar Christian high school in central Pennsylvania. The school is uniquely established around the 40 Points of Grace. Dannah teaches people that “Your story is your greatest asset”. Your story is a weapon that can be used to bring good news into this world. Part of the reason she wrote her book “And the Bride Wore White: Seven Secrets to Sexual Purity” came from a determination to give young women the power of their story back. Inside your faults, fears, and mishaps are opportunities to turn your insights into service. It's a chance to share your life lessons or extend grace to someone going through a hard time. Listen as Dannah discusses the need to embrace your own story and the story of others. She easily shares her ideas on the concept by sharing the work she does with young women and the ministries of the church. Dannah leads by example, sharing her personal story of reflecting on her experiences in order to serve others, empower young women, and help people see that Life Calling is connected to their story. Am I free to live the life that God designed for me? This is the question Dannah ultimately brings to attention. Understand that your story serves that path you are walking, and serves the people that come in contact with your path. Join today's conversation to hear lessons that help you connect with yourself and others. Time stamps: [00:18] - Dannah Gresh talks about her animals that she named after Dr. Seuss characters. [03:18] - Dannah recalls early signs of what called her to the path she is on today. [05:18] - Your calling will not always feel easy, and may require you to overcome what you think are your fears. [07:36] - Dannah shares what she does to re-center herself, and talks about what inspired her to write about young women being sexually active. [09:46] - What did Dannah hope to accomplish with her book on sexual activity? [12:28] - Our story is a weapon for good. [15:08] - Inside your faults, fears, and mishaps are opportunities to turn your insights into service. [17:39] - How does Dannah interpret the rise of depression in society, especially in youth? [19:55] - An altered view of reality is a major factor in the increased depression among youth. [22:07] - Pay attention to the lies, and replace them with truth. [24:52] - Is there a lie that Dannah struggled with in her own life? She talks about facing her limiting beliefs around “belonging”. [27:16] - Truth changes the way we show up in the world, and what we bring to our interactions... [29:16] - Can being single be part of a Calling? [33:04] - Are you free to follow the true plan designed for your life? [35:44] - Your Calling may need you to be flexible. [37:42] - What is Dannah's definition of the ultimate Life Calling? [39:13] - Dannah talks about the new journey she and her husband are on to enlarge their territory physically and spiritually. [41:24] - Dannah and her husband hope to increase the community connection between different church ministries. [43:14] - This one thing is what Dannah encourages church communities to improve on. [45:06] - How can we extend grace to restore the broken? [47:03] - The power of restoring each other. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. DannahGresh.com Dannah Gresh's Books Revive Our Hearts Podcast True Girl Ministry Grace Prep 40 Points of Grace Twitter Instagram  Ep 34: What is a Vocational Credo? | Deborah Koehn Loyd

Reflection is needed to be aware of what path we are on. We can easily find ourselves unaware of being off track when we lack reflection. Essentially, we'd be sleepwalking and moving on autopilot. In the walk with Christ, Christian believers should be moving with full attention and intention. Today, we witness a calling for an awakening. Over the past 40 years, David Bryant has been defined as a “messenger of hope” and a “Christ proclaimer” to the Church throughout the world. Formerly a pastor, minister-at-large with the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, president of Concerts of Prayer International (COPI), and chairman of America's National Prayer Committee, today David provides leadership to Proclaim Hope! whose mission is to foster and serve a nationwide Christ-awakening movement.  For decades, David played a widely visible role in the emergence of an unprecedented, worldwide prayer movement by building on citywide mass prayer rallies; organizing national and international conferences; creating training videos, seminars, and manuals; developing leadership coalitions; mentoring of younger leaders; and sharing his message by radio, television, and podcasts. Currently, David oversees the website ChristNOW.com, which provides hundreds of free resources all focused on the person of Christ. Listen as David discusses why Christian believers need to be reintroduced to Jesus again; similar to his book, Christ Is NOW! 7 Groundbreaking Keys to Help You Explore and Experience the Spectacular Supremacy of God's Son Today. David says that we use the right words, but we are not focused on the right person. He talks about taking time to have a moment of silence with Christ. David explores the true purpose of the relationship with Christ and the difference between the “Centrality of Christ” and the “Supremacy of Christ”. Most Christians today don't think about who Christ is now in the present day. What is the relationship? What is the purpose? Join today's conversation where Christian believers can be reintroduced to Christ. Time stamps: [00:18] - David Bryant is a “messenger of hope” and a “Christ proclaimer”. [02:36] - David tells the story of how he “came alive among the dead.” [04:15] - When did David know he wanted to go into Christian Ministry? [06:06] - David recalls a revelation he had at 11 years old that gave him a glimpse of his future path. [07:57] - Listen to this chilling story of David receiving a divine message before speaking at an event. [10:56] - What was the message that came upon David? [13:22] - David talks about the ripple effect of trusting the divine message he had. [15:26] - Make much of Christ. [17:57] - Kellogg's cornflakes inspired David's concept of Christian believers being reintroduced to Christ. [20:01] - Do you know the meaning of Christ in the present day? [22:22] - What is the purpose of “reawakening” in the life of a Christian? [24:20] - Is the Christian society in a crisis? David explains that the hearts of Christians not being felt by Christ. [27:05] - David talks about his observations of the Christian world. [28:50] - Chris announces a new shift  in Life Calling Today. [31:25] - Is today's church community operating without Christ? What happened? [33:35] - There's a difference between the “Centrality of Christ” and the “Supremacy of Christ.” [35:38] - Chris and David clarify the intentions of Christ working for THE good. [37:37] - David says his work is translated into the Chinese language for the audience in China to use the resource. [39:59] - Christ NOW is about getting a larger vision of Christ. [42:38] - Let's foster a reawakening for the people of Christ. [44:36] - David shares that he feels alive through Christ and hope. [47:04] - What does it mean to be wholly alive? Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. ChristNow.com David Bryant's Books Christ Institutes Video Series Twitter Instagram YouTube Proclaim HOPE!

Clarity is what helps you recognize the vocation within your story. Vocation is not about ideas; it's about your “what” and “how”. If you don't decide on a path forward, you won't do it. You must ask yourself: What is the best way to live this out? Today, we learn about identifying a vocational credo. Deborah Koehn Loyd is an educator and innovator who's passionate about helping others to find the way forward in their lives. She's the author of Your Vocational Credo: Practical Steps to Discover Your Unique Purpose, which coaches readers through practical steps of vocational discernment. Deborah is an adjunct university professor, defender of the marginalized, and former church planner. In addition, she's a life coach, workshop leader, and keynote speaker.  Deborah wants to help people find their story, their voice, and their vocation. She says that vocation is discovered, not made. It lies in your story. Deborah mentions that the parts of your story where you experience pain or misunderstanding are sometimes the tool to discern your Calling. When you push back on your pain, you notice it in others and know how to help them. That becomes the driving force for the vocation you can fulfill in service to others. Listen as Deborah discusses why vocation is an active journey, why pain can be redemptive for you and those around you, and understanding your vocational preferences. Vocation is both deeply individual and intertwined with others. Our actions impact each other. If we don't fulfill our own vocation, the impact of its purpose will not come to fruition.  Your vocation is what you are particularly bringing to the world. We're not all here to bring the same thing or tackle the same issues. Pay attention to your story. Learn to identify your Vocational Credo, so the world is not deprived of what you will bring. Time stamps: [01:42] - Deborah Koehn Loyd says she wasn't always comfortable with public speaking. When did that change? [04:18] - Is there a difference between Vocation and Calling? [06:21] - Deborah says that vocation is discovered, not made. [09:00] - Listen to Deborah describe her definition of Vocation, and how it relates to individual experience, joy, and service. [11:14] - Vocation is both deeply individual and intertwined with others. [13:53] - The word “Call” is from the Latin word “Vocation”. How much did the meaning change? [16:16] - Deborah explains how to use pain to discern our Calling. [18:22] - Push back on your pain. [20:56] - Deborah shares a story of someone who turned their personal pain into service for others. [22:41] - Deborah expresses her thoughts on pain being a stepping stone to fulfilling our greater purpose. [25:20] - What vocational workshop is Deborah working on? [27:33] - Deborah urges everyone to pay attention to their own story to find vocation. [29:44] - What is a Vocational Preferences Survey? [31:34] - How can identifying your vocational preferences help you? [34:31] - Chris talks about how PathwayU helps you refine the “what” and “how” of your Calling. [36:01] - What is a Vocational Credo? [39:01] - How does knowing your credo impact your decisions in life and work? [40:33] - How can you write a Vocational Credo? [42:34] - You can't have resurrection without death. [44:41] - Deborah lists three experiences that shaped her approach to life. [46:36] - Deborah is a deeply thoughtful person. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Deborah Koehn Loyd Your Vocational Credo: Practical Steps to Discover Your Unique Purpose PathwayU

No human is without the need for mothering. Our life cycle is a chain of taking care of ourselves and others. What we sometimes fail to remember is that nurturing figures, such as mothers, have brokenness as well. Mothers are human like every other person needing acceptance, accountability, and grace. Today, we are discussing when motherhood needs healing. Janet Mylin is a writer, communications specialist, and teacher who says she's just a church bell ringing out, calling people into the spirit-filled life. She's the mother of three children, and wife of Andy. Her latest book is called “Arrows Make Terrible Crowns: How the Holy Spirit Healed My View of Motherhood”. Janet is also the co-author of two other books, and currently works for True Girl, a ministry for daughters and moms under best-selling author Dannah Gresh. Moms want to give the best to their kids, but sometimes they are not able to as they are flawed like every other person. Janet talks about embracing who she is and her unique strengths as a mother. She explains why motherhood is not about doing it all or doing things the same way as everyone else. Every human needs healing when it comes to nurturing others. Listen as Janet celebrates how each mother nurtures their family in their unique way. Women sometimes “disqualify” themselves by comparing themselves to other moms, but Janet talks about how to let go of such comparisons. At the same time, Janet wants people to pay attention to how mothers and mother figures in our life impacted the way we see and understand motherhood. Motherhood is not a box to place a person in. As a person, who you are is a place of freedom, security, and confidence apart from your kids. Listen to Janet share thoughts on embracing your mothering style, how to avoid incorrectly “using” your children, and developing a better relationship with your role as a nurturer day by day. Time stamps: [01:20] - Janet Mylin fondly describes her family. [03:50] - Janet mentions her work at True Girl. What is she doing these days? [06:35] - Janet talks about her fear of bigger impact and her family's new balance as she works full time.   [08:47] - No human is without the need of mothering.  [11:32] - What does Janet do when she starts to compare another mother to herself? [14:08] - Janet recalls what inspired the name and meaning of her book. [16:12] - Moms are human too. Janet walks through the grace and accountability of recognizing faults in motherhood. [18:57] - Every human needs healing when it comes to nurturing others. [20:35] - Listen to Janet's realization after her mother's passing. [23:27] - Motherhood is not about doing it all, or doing things the same way as everyone else. [25:02] - Don't use your children as a crown. Be careful not to project personal pain or chaos onto your children. [27:54] - Be mindful of pushing your children away and neglecting them when you feel overwhelmed by your role as a caretaker and nurturer. [29:39] - How can people prepare their kids to be launched into the world? [31:50] - Chris and Janet explore the need to listen to God in the day to day of raising children.  [34:03] - Nurture the trust your children have in you to hand you their brokenness. [36:59] - Where do you ground your identity? [38:44] - Janet shares what enables her to empower her kids. [41:45] - Janet describes her calling as “inspiring people to be bold”. [43:50] - Is anything coming up for Janet? [46:46] - “She was a church bell.” Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Janet Mylin Instagram Arrows Make Terrible Crowns: How the Holy Spirit Healed My View of Motherhood The Guilt-Free Mom Workshop

More than knowing about yourself, the real power is in what you do with what you know about yourself. Many people take assessments to gain insight on their core characteristics. Imagine an assessment that not only brings your core characteristics to your attention but points you in a direction of where you can take action and test your new insights. Today, we are debriefing the PathwayU Calling Assessment. Ron Sweetman is a businessman who found success early in his career and now coaches business leaders. He is a lifetime entrepreneur who is good at noticing opportunities. After serving as a police officer, he entered the telecommunications industry where he was a multimillion-dollar producer for several companies. Then, after a 20-year career in the technology and sales space, he started his own coaching and consulting business to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses. In addition, Ron served in leadership positions at his church and in Man the Mirror Ministries. Ron took the PathwayU Assessment and is here to talk about his findings. He starts by giving his background story, then shares why the insights he discovered add more clarity to how he shows up in his Life Calling. The assessment helped Ron be able to communicate his skills and interests. He even jokes that the assessment describes his strengths and personality more concisely than what he learned about himself working professionally for 20 years. Listen to this discussion on how the PathwayU Assessment can provide insight and direction. No matter how self-aware someone claims to be, they're stuck in a loop unless their actions forge a new path. This assessment gets people out of a loop by using predictive science to suggest various pathways to live out your calling. Such an assessment is meant to help people experience more meaning, purpose, and joy in life and work. The PathwayU Assessment highlights interests, personality, values, and workplace preferences. All four categories are touched on in this episode, and specifically spoken about through the lens of Ron's experience for context. Deeper knowledge of your strengths is a discovery process, and that process is a part of today's conversation. Time stamps: [00:18] - Ron Sweetman helps entrepreneurs scale their businesses. [01:58] - What is the PathwayU Assessment? What guidance does it give? [04:35] - Ron gives his story on what led him to knowing he needed a change. [07:19] - Ron recalls how he discovered what matters most. [09:06] - One of Ron's strengths is that he notices opportunities. [10:55] - How many fields of work does Ron have experience in? [12:59] - What other assessments did Ron take to understand his strengths? [15:23] - The PathwayU Assessment highlights interests, personality, values, and workplace preferences. [17:13] - Ron finds that the PathwayU Assessment articulates his interests concisely. [19:23] - What are the top personality traits that were brought to Ron's attention by the assessment?  [21:54] - Ron values achievement and impact. [24:38] - Ron values achievement, but there is a specific detail about what's behind this trait. What does Ron get from achieving goals in his life?  [26:36] - Through the PathwayU Assessment, Ron is more clear on why he is a mission-driven worker. [29:26] - Which professional fields did the PathwayU Assessment suggest to Ron? Ron says which roles stood out to him from those options. [31:02] - Deeper knowledge of your strengths is a discovery process. [33:00] - Ron describes what the discovery process of his strengths is like in his journey so far. [35:02] - How does Ron define Life Calling? He talks about asking “Why?” and ending the loop of trauma-based rumination. [37:19] - Ron is inspiring people to be their best self, and helping people to connect to resources. [39:29] - Ron encourages everyone that there's always a plan in life. Where does this thought come from? [41:10] - When looking at Ron's traits, there's a balance in how his traits fill his life's big picture. [43:31] - Take the PathwayU Assessment, and find time to discuss your own Life Calling. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. PathwayU Assessment Signup for PathwayU Debrief Ron's Website and ebook  Ron's LinkedIn

Let's say you're presented with a chance to change an ending. You can choose any ending. Now, where would you start in order to change the end? Here's a secret: Sometimes what you see is not an ending, but the start of redirection. Today, we are here to discuss an interesting story about second chances. Steve Heinz founded energy management software company EnergyCAP, which he later sold. In fact, he walked the path of successfully building and selling the company twice. Steve is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, where he was the top student in engineering. He earned his master's degree from Penn State in Architectural Engineering. Today, he's the chairman of the board for International Students Inc. and an advisor for the Life Calling Institute. Steve takes time to talk about second chances and searching for a Life Calling. He reveals the lesson to be learned of human nature and the consequences of human failings in his experience of selling his first company to Enron. Enron was an energy, commodities, and services company that fell under in 2001. Greed led to the company being shattered, and Steve explains why greed showed up in many different forms. He freely shares his thoughts on what fueled the greed, the possible dangers of being a bandwagoner, and his views of internal corruption. Listen as Steve describes the process of starting his business again, alongside his sons, and selling the company for a second time. His story shows why it's not always important to start from scratch. Tremendous change can be found in moving forward from where you are at the moment; especially when you have a support system on the same page as you.  Steve shares his reflections of running a family business, how Life Calling transforms based on the season of life you are in, and what helps him filter his efforts to be in alignment with the purpose and value he contributes to the world. Time stamps: [00:18] - Steve Heinz says entrepreneurship is in his DNA. [03:17] - How did Steve get into energy management? [05:16] - Steve recalls investigating a water leak while in the army. Why was the water costing thousands of extra dollars? [07:36] - Steve recalls another pivotal moment that led him to the energy management space, and shares his experience founding his first company. [10:47] - Why did Steve make a deal with Enron? [13:28] - Enron filed for bankruptcy in 2001. How did Steve respond? [15:36] - Greed can be expressed in various ways. Steve defines the common thread that is the overarching lesson. [17:29] - Steve shares his insights into the background complications of the Enron situation. [19:41] - At one point, energy traders were manipulating electricity supply for financial gain. [21:47] - Steve talks about why he decided to start a new company in energy management. [24:38] - Steve says the family business worked out since everyone was on the same page. [27:03] - When tackling the family business, duties were split with a strength-based approach. [28:41] - Steve shares his lessons of recently selling the second company. [30:51] - What is next for Steve? Did he think about how he wants to move forward? [32:54] - Life Calling can show up in different ways in each season of life. [35:16] - What are Steve's thoughts about the calling of being a grandparent? [37:20] - Steve says his faith is like a filter to being in alignment with the purpose and value he contributes to the world. He explains why that isn't a limiting approach. [40:08] - What does Steve want people to say about him as part of his legacy? [42:18] - Chris acknowledges the example Steve lives as in Chris' life and others. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Steve Heinz Father's Day: What It's Like to Launch a Business with Dad?

Overwhelm from decisions in how to move forward can come through as analysis paralysis and FOMO. Suddenly you're wondering if you are still grounded in your original purpose. Want to hear data-backed answers to better live in your purpose? Today, we discuss new research in Life Calling. Dr. Stephanie Shackelford is a writer, researcher, and coach who specializes in the topic of Life Calling. She's the author of a new book called  “You on Purpose: Discover Your Calling and Create the Life You Were Meant to Live”, which reveals new research by the Barna Group. Stephanie is a senior fellow at the Barna Group primarily studying vocation and calling. She is also a contributing author to two other books on similar topics. She received her Doctorate from Northeastern University and is an Adjunct Instructor at Vanderbilt University while running her own career coaching company, You on Purpose Coaching. We're all created on purpose, and for a purpose. Stephanie always wanted to help people. She started out in nonprofits, yet found herself later forging a career for Life Calling. She works to help people recognize that every life is its own story, and is part of a grander journey. She describes it as people being designed and created for specific activities that really speak to who they are individually, and how they can use that in service or benefit to others. When people aren't engaging in work with a purpose-driven orientation, the ripple effect can be draining for individuals and teams. During our conversation, we explore why the context of your life can influence your calling, ways to integrate small-scale trial and error in testing your Life Calling, and what is the overall aim of pursuing a Life Calling. Take time to get to know yourself, your context, and your times, so you can determine your next move in this intentional process. Time stamps: [00:18] - Stephanie Shackelford says that she wrote the book she needed to read. [02:48] - An elective course during grad school led Stephanie into a career studying Calling. [04:29] - Life Calling is about using your gifts for the benefit of others, and that can show up in multiple ways. [06:52] - Listen as Stephanie gives the background of the new research. [08:49] - Who is engaging work in a purposeful way? [10:35] - The idea and reason attached to work make the difference in how people show up. [12:41] - Stephanie shares why the context of your life informs your Calling. [15:25] - What are ways to test different paths of Life Calling?  [17:38] - Explore projects and take small bets towards your Life Calling on your own time. [19:26] - Why do people sometimes not take steps towards their Life Calling? [21:25] - Living your passion will still have ebbs and flows. It's Life Calling that makes embracing challenges worth it. [24:10] - Stephanie gives her thoughts on “Happiness” being the overall goal of living purposefully. [26:25] - How does Stephanie's faith impact her view of Life Calling? [29:07] - Get to know yourself, your context, and your times, so you can determine your next move. [31:26] - Think about the desires you are drawn to, and understand any pain you experienced. [33:54] - Stephanie discusses the power of our motivations under the work we complete. [35:42] - How can you find the overlap of self, your context, and your times? [37:31] - Stephanie shares which three questions can give you more clarity around Life Calling. [39:29] - Stephanie explains a time she felt she was being called by something bigger than herself. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Stephanie's Website You on Purpose Coaching  “You on Purpose: Discover Your Calling and Create the Life You Were Meant to Live”

Coaching is different from other forms of helping. It serves a specific purpose, the same way mentoring or consulting fulfills a separate purpose. A mentor helps you learn what they already know how to do. A consultant helps you solve a problem from a third-person point of view. A coach helps you find fulfillment. Today, we discuss how coaching helps you align with your Life Calling. Michael Pfau, M.Ed, PCC, BCC, is President of Crossways Life Coaching, LLC. As a coach, Michael works primarily with mid-life professionals who are looking for more in work, life, and career. He is a faculty member of the Professional Christian Coaching Institute. Michael earned a Master's degree in education, and he's a professional certified coach in the International Coach Federation (ICF). In his career, Michael spent time in paid ministry work and the business space until he decided to contribute his skills to coaching others on their transformational journeys. Michael felt a need, found a solution, and now shares his insights while coaching. Sometimes, people don't know where to start. Michael talks in this episode about his coaching journey, the benefits of coaching, and why coaching is an individual experience. He shares his thoughts on how coaches can help people connect to their Life Calling. Listen as he explains that vision and passion are what help guide people forward. Coaches are partners who help you pursue that vision and passion, which ultimately aligns with your Life Calling. Multiple types of help are useful in the world, and each has its own purpose, but coaching is flexible to your story and your journey. Michael is the first coach I went to when I was on my path of getting certified as a coach myself. He also holds an important role in prepping for the Life Calling Bootcamp that will be launching soon. His work is highly recommended, and I can't wait for you to hear this episode. Information alone does not lead to transformation. A coach helps you find what's next in your life, so you can be at peace looking back on your legacy. Listen to this conversation on how to move forward in your journey alongside a coach. Time stamps: [00:18] - Michael Pfau is the coach of coaches. [01:33] - Michael gives a brief look into his background, including his start in ministry. [04:19] - With his first client in 2002, Michael says that life coaching was a less known profession. [06:24] - How did Michael go from paid ministry work and business work into coaching? [09:06] - Mentors and consultants help people, but what is the range of where they can help? [11:28] - Coaches differ from the idea of mentoring or consulting. This is how. [14:00] - Coaches guide people through transformations in their life. [15:39] - Michael recalls when he hired his first coach to figure out the new season of his life years ago. [18:38] - Is there a nagging gap in your life? [20:13] - Michael explains why having a coach can guide people through starting a journey. [22:57] -What kind of experience is cohort (small group) coaching? What kind of experience is one-on-one coaching? [25:03] - Michael shares his Life Calling, and expresses what he believes it means to live authentically. [27:47] - Can spirituality be added to coaching? Michael makes coaching flexible for each individual. [30:15] - Stop thinking, and take the very first step. [32:15] - What can Michael do better than most people? [33:51] - Michael gives his thoughts of neuroscience in the personal development space. [35:67] - Get ready for the Life Calling Bootcamp. Links: Life Calling Bootcamp Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Michael's Website Coaching and the Brain Class

Position yourself to make the impact you want to make, and realize you can deliver that impact through a variety of ways. As this year starts, gain a new perspective on how you can bring more purpose and meaning to your journey. You now have a new set of opportunities to grasp. Today, we talk about advice for the New Year to intentionally pursue your Life Calling. Dr. Dave White holds a consistent voice of doing what's important. He is a Success Life Coach, and he is the pastor of Bridge Church in Valencia, CA. On top of this, Dave's experience includes work as a speaker and a Lead NCAA Men's Basketball Referee. He worked with Olympic gold medalists, business leaders, and influencers of society during his career. In the past, he served as a substance abuse counselor, a university instructor, and a business CEO. As you can see, he's done a whole lot in his career. Dave contributes his skills to the board of advisors for the Life Calling Institute. He serves as if he's a physician of the soul; he's always full of wisdom, insight, and grace. He loves hope and having things to look forward to. In life, he prioritizes his time and efforts based on the aspects of his life that give substance to the bigger picture. He talks about this while giving real stories from his experiences, and insights he gathered over the years. You can really learn from Dave about how to maneuver all other tasks around your nonnegotiable values. When it comes to the big things in life, it's not about independence, it's about interdependence. Listen to Dave discuss what it means to have a lifespan perspective that combats the pressure of accomplishing everything “now”, how to fill life with significance outside of status titles and metrics, and how to adapt your purpose to the context of your life. Start the New Year off right with this conversation filled with advice on sparking the momentum towards your Life Calling. Time stamps: [00:18] - Dave White is like a physician of the soul. [02:12] - When you have good people in life, you make the most out of opportunities to connect. [04:25] - How does Dave like to start the New Year? [06:47] - Get the major priorities in place first, and the little things will fit around it. [08:33] - Dave explains why connecting and sharing with other people can lead to success. Can the concept of individualism hinder how you show up in your Life Calling? [11:06] - Where is the balance between external goals and family life? Dave shares why it's important to have a “lifespan perspective”. [14:05] - The real question is “What are you achieving?”, and what is the significance of those results. [16:51] - Dave shares stories from his time as a referee, and connects what life lessons transferred from the experience. [19:47] - What helps people find meaning and purpose in life? [21:14] - Orient yourself with the big picture to understand your Life Calling. [22:58] - How can you adapt your purpose to the context of your life or a new direction of life? [24:56] - Dave expresses his thought on fulfilling a Life Calling that brings impact and service to the world. [26:34] - Position yourself to make the impact you want to make. [29:13] - What is Dave White's Life Calling? [31:26] - You can deliver your Life Calling in different ways. How does this show up in Dave's life? [33:45] - Dave talks about using his voice to speak up. [36:38] - Dave explains the balance of using anger in productive ways, and not always repressing the emotion. [38:14] - Thank you for listening. Happy New Year! Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Dr. Dave White Email Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

We started this podcast six months ago, hoping to inspire you toward fulfilling your Life Calling. Lessons in each episode became part of our reason to take that brave next step in our purpose. Today, we wrap up the year with an awesome round-up of highlights from guest interviews. In the course of the past six months, we shared conversations with great guests who brought their understanding and experience of Life Calling. Every guest gave us something to hold onto. They made us think, laugh, and cry. With every conversation, we always left inspired. The guests shared important and diverse work related to their individual callings, whether working in nonprofit or managing parenthood. Listen to this collection of important epiphanies and insights as told by people that contribute to the world from their Life Calling. Today's episode is filled with roughly 2-minute clips from guests throughout this year's episodes. I'll introduce each clip for you, so you can sit back and relax. You may find yourself wanting to go back to listen to entire episodes over. That may be a good idea. You can always learn something new. Friend, thanks for joining and engaging with Life Calling Today. Let's continue to take our next brave step into the new year! Time stamps: [00:18] - Can you believe we've been having conversations for this long already? [02:50] - Bob Goff on the importance of dreaming big. [05:13] - Olympic Gold medalist Josh Davis shares his lesson about not giving up on his Life Calling. [07:31] - Bryan Dik explains the impact an awareness of Life Calling can have on a person in their work. [10:40] - Carol Ben-Davies shares insights on the need for adolescents to explore purpose individually. [14:09] - Allan Scott describes why his broken past life experiences qualify him to carry out his Life Calling. [17:40] - Jennifer Vancil provides advice on how to align your career with your overarching purpose. [20:55] - Laura Booz reveals the power of motherhood as a calling. [24:22] - Teresa McCloy dispels the illusion of productivity, and says to focus on what's “best”. [27:11] - Ben Hager shares his thoughts about developing purpose and paying attention to life. [30:00] - Spencer Smith reveals the power of fatherhood as a calling. [34:01] - Kim Fisher helps people bring their Life Calling to reality, even if leveraging failure. [36:52] - Peggy Pepper brings energy with her perspective of following purpose no matter what age. [40:07] - We had a phenomenal year! Let's have another one next year. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Episodes Referenced: Episode 4 Bob Goff Episode 5 Josh Davis Episode 8 Bryan Dik Episode 10 Carol Ben-Davies  Episode 12 Allan Scott Episode 14 Jennifer Vancil Episode 16 Laura Booz Episode 18 Teresa McCloy Episode 20 Ben Hager  Episode 22 Spencer Smith Episode 24 Kim Fisher Episode 26 Peggy Pepper

How can positivity be useful in the pursuit of Life Calling? Positivity deals with the mindset used to approach a situation, which can help people to expand on life purpose. Everyone has a Life Calling, and deserves the glory of living out a Life Calling. A positive outlook can help you explore ways to flourish, and discover ways to help other people flourish. Today, we discuss the skill of propelling positivity. Peggy Pepper, propels positivity into the world with the creation of her social media platform, Positive on Purpose. Her goal is to create a global community and conversation about creating positivity as more than a nice idea, but a belief system that can become a way of life. Peggy is also a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, an ordained Minister, an award-winning writer, a Global TED Circle Leader, and a Life Calling Institute advisor. Peggy is no stranger to starting something new. After an award-winning career in advertising, Peggy became a serial entrepreneur with one of her ventures booking more than $1 billion dollars. Peggy also launched another company, similar to Shark Tank, to guide budding entrepreneurs into success with their own dreams. The program went so well that the White House enlisted her expertise to develop entrepreneurship programs for inner city women to be implemented nationally. Listen as Peggy gives life lessons and suggestions based on her own growth of embracing a broader and deeper life over the years. Peggy talks about meshing and evolving with the world while giving herself grace. Her words encourage people to reflect on the wealth of wisdom they accumulate as they journey through life. In this conversation, learn about reframing negative situations, how to “right-size” your life, and three acts to start off your day positively. You'll feel refreshed, renewed and inspired not only by what Peggy says, but by who Peggy is. Time stamps: [00:18] - Peggy Pepper is a serial entrepreneur who helps bring positivity and action to the world. [02:46] - What effect does age have on the concept of calling? [05:39] - Peggy describes how Calling can be described and felt through life. [07:10] - This mindset drives Peggy to change the perspective on any trial that shows up in her life. [10:04] - Peggy talks about meshing and evolving with the world while giving herself grace. [12:47] - Peggy encourages people to reflect on the wealth of wisdom they accumulate as they journey through life. [14:41] - What does it mean to “right-size” your life? Peggy describes the meaning of this phrase through the story of her encore marriage. [17:21] - Peggy continues the story of her encore marriage. This exercise gave the marriage more clarity around purpose and helping others. [20:18] - Peggy says she embraced a broader and deeper life after reevaluating her life.  [21:40] - Why is Peggy on a mission to propel positivity? How does Peggy turn around negative situations? [24:28] - Peggy gives a recent example of how she turned around a negative situation. [26:08] - How can positivity be useful in the pursuit of Life Calling? [28:21] - Find out how you're individually wired to connect with your Life Calling. [30:05] - Peggy touches on how the things that seem so simple, can be the things that are hardest to commit to. [31:59] - Peggy shares the three things she does to start off her day. STEP 1: Before opening your eyes. [33:42] - Peggy shares the three things she does to start off her day. STEP 2: Before going out the door. [35:41] - Peggy shares the three things she does to start off her day. STEP 3: Once out in the world. [38:27] - When has Peggy thought “I can keep doing this forever”? [40:42] - Thank you for listening! Catch you next time! Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Peggy Pepper - Subscribe and download the inspirational card deck Facebook Instagram 

Holidays like Christmas are usually filled with cheer, joy, feasts, decorations, and movie marathons. What if Christmas doesn't seem like Christmas anymore? Do you ever feel like Christmas and the holiday spirit skipped by? Today, we'll talk about spending the Christmas season with celebration and intention. Let's talk about keeping joy at the heart of Christmas. People come together during this magical time, and it's this kind of moment where we can make an impact. During this episode, I'll share the three acts of Christmas that allow us to feel more present during the holiday season as the year wraps up. It's true that we can celebrate with intention. Listen as I discuss the story of Christmas, and read scripture to help everyone see the story in a different light. We'll walk together through the three acts of Christmas: darkness, light, and being light-bearers. Each portion carries an important lesson to ground us during this Christmas season. We start off by recognizing the darkness. Then, we appreciate the light that comes to disperse the darkness. Later, we become the ones to share the light. In the episode, I provide more context on how each portion is connected. You can't really celebrate the light until you recognize the darkness. Then once you receive the light, you can be a light bearer. Use this Christmas season to live with intention around the three acts, and spread the holiday cheer with the people you come across. Even celebrating Christmas can be a calling where we celebrate intentionally. Friend, I'm not sure how Christmas felt for you lately, but it's never too late to hop into holiday cheer. Listen to this episode for context on the Christmas acts, how you can incorporate the acts into this holiday season, and why Christmas can be purposeful in life. Hopefully, after today's podcast, we'll avoid any feeling of wasting Christmas or Christmas seeming empty by remembering these three acts of Christmas. Time stamps: [00:18] - Do you ever feel like Christmas and the holiday spirit skipped by? [01:48] - Let's discuss the three acts of Christmas, starting with ACT 1: Darkness. [04:01] - When completely in the dark, there's anticipation for finding the light. [06:55] - There is preparation for the light. [08:38] - After the darkness, let's receive something brighter in ACT 2: Light. [10:57] - Light comes to disperse darkness. [12:52] - How do you feel when the light finally comes into your life? [15:39] - Retell the Christmas story in ACT 3: Being light-bearers. [17:09] - As light-bearers, we report the message, and retell the story. [18:42] - Everyone, I hope you have a wonderful and merry Christmas with the three acts. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co.

Life Calling can be fulfilled through work. This isn't always the case, but there are roles that allow us to share our Life Calling and support our lifestyle. One example that comes to mind is a job at a nonprofit. Today, we'll look at the nonprofit field as a place where people can openly pursue various callings. Nonprofits typically tackle issues that require attention, solutions, and people willing to use their gifts in service of the initiative. Today's guest has 30+ years of experience as a nonprofit executive, and currently guides people through the process of forming a nonprofit. Kim Fisher is the founder of Vision Catalyst, a business that helps build nonprofit organizations. She works with people to fulfill their vision around a cause they would like to address, or make better. Kim held numerous leadership roles in nonprofits, has coaching experience, and worked with both domestic and international organizations. All of her experiences led her to this point of helping others in their own journey. Can a nonprofit's purpose be a direct reflection of a person's Life Calling? Listen as Kim shares real examples of people building nonprofits from a place of purpose, and how people decide on the purpose of the nonprofit. Actually turning a Life Calling into an organization can be more work than people realize. Gladly, Kim adds advice on when to start a nonprofit, and talks through the common challenges people face in trying to start a nonprofit. Kim uses her expertise to help her clients' ideas mesh with reality, rather than the two clashing. She helps clients dream big, while keeping practicality in mind. Every person's origin story contains critical pieces that influence their journey. Kim discusses picking up lessons along the journey, the need to take risks, learning to embrace failures, and working through the shame of failure. Nonprofits are an option for living out Life Calling in a way that is specific to a theme, concern, or topic close to a person's idea of their purpose. Listen to this conversation with Kim if you would ever consider incorporating nonprofit work into your Life Calling. Time stamps: [00:18] - Kim Fisher enjoys adventure, culture and people. [03:12] - Kim specializes in forming nonprofits, from handling their business structure to the paperwork. [04:56] - Most clients Kim works with come to her in very early stages of development. [07:01] - Can a nonprofit mission be seen as a calling? Kim gives examples from her clients. [09:36] - Kim shares inspiring missions that she helped as clients. One example empowers survivors of human trafficking. [11:40] - Kim shares inspiring missions that she helped with. The clients sometimes have very unique solutions. [13:44] - What are the most common challenges and mistakes of starting a nonprofit? [16:08] - When should someone start a nonprofit? How can someone tell if they shouldn't start a nonprofit? [18:58] - Kim's life journey prepared her for the role she is currently in. How did she go from banking to nonprofits? [21:40] - What moment started Kim's business? [23:28] - Every person's origin story contains critical pieces that influence their journey. [25:25] - Kim shares her thoughts on using failure to grow, and become better. [27:47] - How does Kim's faith impact her perspective of her calling? [30:13] - Kim aims to help people find who they are in their own journey. [31:49] - Here are Kim's tips for people seeking their calling. [33:54] - Friends, thank you for listening and engaging! Catch you next time! Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Kim's website: VisionCatalyst.org Ebook: Is Starting a Nonprofit Right For You? Ebook: 10 Essential Steps to Starting a Nonprofit

When we sense the end is near, we suddenly have a larger sense of urgency. Take the end of the year for example. With so much to get done, everyone is trying their best to prepare for year-end festivities. Today's episode is a reflection on the motivation behind this sense of urgency, and why this can inspire how we live our lives year-round. Life is getting busier with the end-of-the-year holiday season in full swing. From planning gifts to attending events, people's to-do lists are filled. There are others that feel a sense of grief, ending, or rebirth as the year comes to a close. No matter which perspective we take, we can agree we're in a unique and temporary season. Wouldn't it be great to feel that sense of agency and direction all year? People typically ask the question “How shall we live?”, and maybe the answer is to live like the end is near. That perspective helps you make decisions, since it creates intention and clarifies priorities. Listen to this episode where I share three foundational thinking-points of why living as if the end is near can help you walk in your Life Calling. It's fascinating. There's a sense of choice. There's a sense of agency. We can decide how to make the most of our days. I'll talk about how keeping the end in mind helps shape today's decisions, why you need to keep a clear mind, loving others, and where to use the gifts of our Life Calling. To use your gifts, you have to know who you are and what you bring, and aim those gifts towards service. While embracing the year-end celebrations, we can turn the lessons of this holiday season into wisdom for moving forward. Walking in your calling requires you to have a clear mind, and love people through your calling in service to one another. Let us welcome empathy, humility, and patience as we walk in our Life Calling. Time stamps: [00:18] - Things are getting busier as the end-of-the-year holiday season is picking up! [03:14] - How shall we live? Like the end is near. [05:27] - Living as if the end is near helps to create intention and clarity. [07:39] - Having the end in mind can provide guidance in life decisions. [08:45] - Be mindful of distractions coming your way. [10:15] - Make time to clear your mind. [11:01] - Be serious about loving one another. [11:55] - What's the difference in the way people handle disagreement as we learn to love one another? [14:21] - Here is how we shall live. Does this way of life relate to Life Calling? [15:58] - Friends, thank you for listening and engaging! Catch you next time! Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Book: Faithful Presence by Bill Haslam

Your Life Calling is not restricted to a job title or personal brand; it can be a life role. Parental figures are the first example of the world to any child. What does it mean to fulfill Life Calling through being a parent? Today's episode is a conversation with the adventurous and caring Spencer Smith on finding Life Calling through fatherhood. Spencer Smith is someone I highly respect. He is the husband of Annie, and father of three boys. When the boys were much younger, Spencer and Annie came to a decision on their dynamic to maintain a healthy environment for the family. Spencer took on the role of the primary caregiver, while Annie took on a full-time career as a physical therapist. Agreeing to this dynamic allowed Spencer to be a stay-at-home parent for 14 years with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. We talked about motherhood as a calling in episode 16 with Laura Booz, and now we're highlighting fatherhood. Spencer shares what it was like to make that first crucial decision to stay home with his young boys. He shares why focusing on the skill set of each person in the relationship can help parents come to an agreement on a parental dynamic. After communicating with each other, Spencer and Annie's parenting became about staying committed. There was pushback, and the couple lost a few friends, but together they took things one day at a time. Spencer is not only a father, but he still recognizes himself as an individual. Professionally, Spencer is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) working part-time in accounting and finance. He also holds a passion for mission work and adventure. In this conversation, Spencer honestly shares his thoughts on taking time to regroup when feeling overwhelmed, the joy of long-term gains from early efforts, and being a role model as best as any imperfect human can try to be while raising other imperfect humans. We often feel that we have to choose between work and family. We often think we must split duty from fulfillment. That's not true. We can do both. Spencer is an example of that. Time stamps: [00:18] - Spencer Smith acts as the primary caregiver for his three boys. How else does he identify himself? [02:31] - Spencer says he originally went to school for Psychology. After exploring multiple degrees, he found his way to Accounting. [04:32] - When Spencer and Annie agreed on him being the primary caregiver, Spencer says he didn't have any other examples to follow. [07:01] - Did Spencer experience any pushback for choosing to be a stay-at-home father? [09:12] - What is the best part of being the primary caregiver? What is the most challenging part of being the primary caregiver? [11:03] - Spencer recalls how much his boys changed. Listen to him reminisce about going on trips with his sons. [13:19] - Spencer describes how the idea of Life Calling relates to fatherhood. [15:48] - How does Spencer's faith impact how he approaches his role as a dad? [18:11] -  Spencer's commitment to fatherhood gave him priceless long-term benefits. [20:38] - Listen to Spencer share what he'd like his parenting to be summed up as if his sons describe him. [23:33] - Here is Spencer's advice for first-time dads. [26:13] - Friends, thank you for listening and engaging! Catch you next time! Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Song: I Want To Be Just Like You (Phillips, Craig & Dean) Book: Win at Work and Succeed at Life (Michael Hyatt & Megan Hyatt Miller) Song: Cat's in the Cradle (Harry Chapin)

Do you have questions on what to pursue in life? Well, you're not the only one. People tend to explore their purpose in life often. In fact, a few of us gathered at the Life Calling Virtual Summit with Bob Goff to discuss our pursuit of what we are called to contribute to this world. During the Life Calling Virtual Summit we held a Q&A, but didn't get a chance to answer all the questions. Today's episode is filled with discussion regarding questions from the event.  Before that, I want to personally thank the attendees for participating in the summit. We had a great discussion! As we continue to learn about our Life Calling, we're able to support each other. I look forward to the next time we interact. For today's discussion we're answering three specific questions from the virtual summit. Each question is tied to a different aspect of fulfilling your Life Calling. To give you a preview, the questions all touch on how to confirm a Life Calling: vetting with trusted others, matching Life Calling to the current season of life, and aligning purpose with faith. Learn how these confirmations require a shift in focus depending on what is being compared or vetted, and be ready to take action on the methods to get closer to realizing your Life Calling. How exactly can we touch on actionable tips for Life Calling with three questions? Easy. I'll be providing the context for the answers, alongside options for approaching the confirmations. I know none of us are the same, so giving options allows you room to tailor the approach for your life and your purpose. Learn techniques to refine your idea of Life Calling without getting information overload. In this digestible episode, learn how to beat bias by forming effective questions about your purpose, make the most out of feedback you gather, discern “passion” from “calling”, and match your purpose with your faith. Here is where you learn to feed your pursuits in a healthy way while prioritizing effectively. Ultimately, this episode talks about how you can fundamentally live your Life Calling in the current context of your life. Time stamps: [00:18] - Here are three excellent questions from people who attended the Life Calling Virtual Summit. [02:44] - How do you test the “trusted others” group? First, let's talk about how to form this group. [04:31] - Do this if you are asking a trusted individual for feedback on a certain Life Calling you want to pursue. [07:00] - Listen to my own story of using the “trusted others” method when I considered a change in my employment status. [08:35] - How to deal with a low energy level when lacking drive to pursue a Life Calling? [10:59] - The way we live out our calling in daily life can change over time with us. [13:22] - What's the connection and difference between the words “passion” and “calling”? [16:09] - How do you know if an idea or dream is in line with God's purpose for you? [18:31] - Here are the three suggestions of where to go to guide your decision on if a Life Calling is the one to pursue alongside your faith. [20:50] - Friends, thank you for listening and engaging! Catch you next time! Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. LifeCallingSummit.com

Your Life Calling is an opportunity to bring joy to your life and the life of others. Fulfilling the interests that fuel you helps bring purpose to the interactions you have. In those moments, it's easy to forget how quickly time passes. Today's guest follows a Life Calling that captures those fleeting moments through photography. Ben Hager is a professional photographer who works for the Review Journal in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over the years, his photography brought him into entertainment, politics, crimes, professional sports, and other breaking news as he supplied his skills to capture important moments. Ben also served as the photo director for the Harlem Globetrotters, and received multiple awards, like Nevada Press Foundation's Outstanding Visual Journalist. Before photography, Ben says he worked as a hospice volunteer and youth mentor. He even talks about majoring in economics at Penn State. We discuss how the new generations took on different understandings of pursuing Life Calling. To our understanding, many people don't want to commit to something immediately and be locked in forever. Ben shares his own quest of seeking to do something meaningful for him, later leading him to photography. Ben felt drawn to people's stories, lives, and things he didn't know about. Listen to Ben explain the trial and error of finding Life Calling, and balancing decisions to cultivate a cohesive life. You don't always arrive at your Life Calling on your first try. Similar to Ben's journey, most people experience a change in passions and perspective as they evolve through life. Ben's advice is to know what moves you, and know what doesn't move you. Keep your eyes open, and never stop moving in a direction that pushes you closer to your Life Calling. Through self-assessment and self-awareness, you can build a life filled with projects and moments that reflect what grabs your attention. Not only can you build that life, you can share it with others. Like Ben, you can move towards a place that feels true for you. Time stamps: [00:18] - Ben Hager uses his professional photographer skills across many different sectors. [03:05] - How did Ben make life work between pursuing Life Calling and dealing with the pandemic? [05:01] - Ben says he didn't plan on being a photographer. [06:45] - Another classmate influenced Ben to get into photography, and telling people's stories. [08:54] - As you learn your life's work, you explore different paths along the way. [11:38] - You may describe your calling separately from the platform you use to carry your calling out. [14:10] - Ben talks about staying grounded when his photography skills bring him to tense environments, like crime or courts. [17:00] - What is one of Ben's favorite photo projects? [19:37] - Ben talks about creating art that is meaningful in his subjects' lives. [22:34] - Life Calling is connected to a shift in priority, and rethinking how to identify yourself towards life. [24:05] - Ben talks about difficult decisions that need to take place to balance the shifts in life, like decisions as a parent. [26:17] - As you move through life, build a cohesive life that keeps what's important to you. [28:27] - What advice does Ben have for people who want to land in their sweet spot? [31:14] - Ben mentions a time he let go of embarrassment during a photography job. [33:31] - Ben's embarrassing moment gave everyone a good laugh, which he didn't mind. [35:10] - The best part is ending up in a place that feels true for you and what you feel you're meant to do. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. LifeCallingSummit.com BenjaminHager.com

It's finally time. After mentioning the Enneagram in previous episodes, it's time to explore how this tool can improve self-awareness. Focusing on self-awareness is crucial in discerning and walking in your Life Calling. Clarity from the Enneagram helps point out inclinations and quirks of what drives a person's actions. In a way, the tool gives a glimpse into what dictates decisions, and which role a personality typically fulfills when with others. Understand how to navigate your Life Calling journey through this tool's identification of personality types. Naturally, exploring how to use the Enneagram means learning the parts of the tool first. In today's conversation, listen to a thoughtful description of the 9 Enneagram personality styles. Each description talks about the core motivations of the 9 types, which can each be described as a verb. This simple approach attaches easy-to-remember verbs to the types that allow you to reflect on how your own actions match the personality types. Knowing your unique personality is essential to being successful. You'll find this episode gives the space to examine which of the 9 types can guide you to further understand how to show up in your Life Calling. When examining, don't forget to pay attention to the two breaks in the conversation. Each break gives you time to truly digest what you are learning, and provides a word of caution for using the tool properly. Another thing friend, there's an exciting event you should know about! You can gain more actionable insights about Life Calling on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at the Life Calling Virtual Summit with Bob Goff. Join the FREE summit where we will dream, discover, and dare to live out our Life Calling. Go to lifecallingsummit.com. See you at the Life Calling Virtual Summit! If you can't be there, or listen to this podcast after the summit, I'll share how you can still gain access to this valuable event at the start of this episode. Time stamps: [00:18] - Self-awareness is required for your Life Calling. An Enneagram can be used to further your self-awareness. [02:14] - How can knowing your unique personality lead to success? [03:58] - Let's talk through the 9 numbers of the Enneagram for understanding personality more. [06:08] - Originally, the Enneagram was based on guidance towards a virtuous life. Today, the tool is more widely used in the business world. [08:12] - Begin to understand your motivations with the 9 personality types. Let's start with personality 1 (to perfect). [09:58] - Listen for which type you resonate with. Here is personality 2 (to help/ support) and 3 (to succeed). [12:41] - Before we move on, take caution! Don't come to a conclusion about yourself or others too quickly. [14:48] - Listen for which type you resonate with. Here is personality 4 (to express). [16:27] - Listen for which type you resonate with. Here is personality 5 (to know). [18:24] - Listen for which type you resonate with. Here is personality 6 (to secure). [20:32] - Let's take a moment to reflect. How can you refine which personality type matches your motivations? [22:38] - Listen for which type you resonate with. Here is personality 7 (to enjoy). [24:09] - Listen for which type you resonate with. Here is personality 8 (to influence). [25:57] - Listen for which type you resonate with. Here is personality 9 (to be at peace). [28:08] - Which type, or types, do you find yourself leaning towards? Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. LifeCallingSummit.com Enneagram Cheat Sheet Enneagram Blog Posts ChrisHeinz.com/resources

“Being productive” vs. “Being busy”. You may be familiar with this popular distinction, but there's more to it. Imagine being a top performer in a practical role you thought would be good for you. As a top performer, you are by all “standard” definitions a “productive” person. If you go home after being “productive” only to immerse yourself in something to make you forget the day, is that cycle truly beneficial? Don't worry friend. This is a story of joy. This is a story of realizing we are free to choose differently. In today's conversation, Teresa McCloy talks about finding the courage to embrace your authentic self, and start building a life that better reflects your Life Calling. Teresa McCloy is an entrepreneur, teacher, and coach. She is the founder of the Realife Process(R), the CEO of the Professional Christian Coaching Institute, and the host of the REALIFE Process(R) podcast. Teresa speaks around the idea that being productive towards our goals and aims is stronger when placed towards what really matters.  All life experiences add together to be a skill, lesson, or perspective to use later in life. Teresa spends time discussing what to take from life experiences to carry forward. When taking inventory of life, noticing what holds most of our time and energy is important. Listen as Teresa explains how to create the rhythms, routines, and behaviors to a sustainable life. During the conversation, we explore the ways values and needs discern Life Calling, experiment with the idea of multiple callings through different seasons, and discuss why the Enneagram is a tool to acknowledge internal authenticity. Taking a step back, this conversation is a combination of realizing mindset and action. Life Calling describes the moment to moment of being aligned with your values and needs. The REALIFE Process(R) is a framework to uphold the commitment to being aligned. Bring all parts of yourself to embrace an authentic life, a REALIFE, a life true to your Life Calling. Another thing friend, there's an exciting event coming up! You can gain more actionable insights about Life Calling on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at the Life Calling Virtual Summit with Bob Goff. Join the FREE summit where we will dream, discover, and dare to live out our Life Calling. Go to lifecallingsummit.com. Time stamps: [02:00] - Teresa McCloy is an entrepreneur and coach fueling the growth of businesses and people. [03:50] - What's Teresa like in her daily life? She gives fun personal trivia such as her car interests, foodie life, and more. [05:19] - How did the numerous jobs Teresa fulfilled lead her to where she is now? From a piano teacher to retail, what seasons did Teresa go through? [08:08] - People don't learn as much from success as what they learn from failure. There is freedom in reflecting on failure. [09:49] - Teresa explains the tagline: “Forget Productivity and Do what Matters”. [12:09] - Listen to Teresa share the inspiration behind the REALIFE Process, and why this connects to living a sustainable life. [14:22] - What are the four components of the REALIFE Process? Does each component look different for each individual? [17:20] - Know that the pre-decisions of life influence how your life reflects your values. [19:26] - How important are values and needs to Life Calling? [21:05] - Teresa gives insight on figuring out how to address personal needs and values. [23:48] - In which ways can someone use their Enneagram to find new paths in the walk through life. [26:43] - Teresa speaks about tapping into and waking up the other personal centers of intelligence. [29:12] - Acknowledge every part of yourself to open up and discover more. How does this create a domino effect? [31:59] - Teresa expresses her thoughts on exploring different seasons of “being” and fulfilling a calling.  [34:31] - When going on this journey, there's a moment of diving deeper internally before exploring the external aspect. [36:11] - Teresa admires that the Life Calling Today podcast is a platform for discovering Life Calling as a community. [38:09] - Once you accept your authentic self, you become real. Teresa explains how this life lesson from the Velveteen Rabbit influenced the REALIFE Process. [40:20] - Life Calling is the deeply personal meeting place of authenticity and perspective. [42:13] - What does Teresa want to be known for? [44:15] - Thank you for joining us today, friend! Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. LifeCallingSummit.com TheRealifeProcess.com  The Realife Process® Podcast Velveteen Rabbit book

Do you ever wonder how some people seem so sure and clear about their decisions? Do you admire people who seem to “stay true” to themselves? People that are in tune with their decisions and identity are usually people who intentionally choose what to care about. You can do the same thing. What you choose to care about becomes your values. Your values allow you to align with the way you would like to show up in the world, including your Life Calling. Today, we'll discuss how values empower your life. Your values are your nonnegotiables. Since values reflect your priority belief, these values influence your presence in the world. To choose one value means you measure them against other values, and choose your preference. In this case, you select the values that best fit your life. Now, this doesn't make other values incorrect, the need to choose is to have a reason or a gut feeling behind your own decisions. Friend, I will tell you that once you realize your values, you'll start to notice your set of priority beliefs differ when the setting changes. Different values govern different parts of our life. In a separate setting, you may find your priorities shifting include work, family, or personal time. Context determines how your values are on display. Despite your values responding to the context you find yourself in, your Life Calling remains the same. Each setting, role, or participation is you living your Life Calling in different contexts. You empower your calling by having clarity of your priority beliefs, or values. In today's episode, learn how you can identify a value, how to build awareness about what is important to you, and why your overarching life calling inspires your values. Another thing friend, there's an exciting event coming up! You can gain more actionable insights about Life Calling on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at the Life Calling Virtual Summit with Bob Goff. Join the FREE summit where we will dream, discover, and dare to live out our Life Calling. Go to lifecallingsummit.com. Time stamps: [00:26] - There's an exciting event coming up! [01:56] - Here's a lesson on sticking to your values from a story of Catholic Nuns in 1940s London. [04:52] - What is a “value”? [06:20] - How do we choose and measure our values? [08:32] - Certain values can be different depending on the part of our life the value addresses. [10:32] - Let's see how values can shift depending on the setting. I'll talk you through it. [12:24] - Your overarching calling displays differently according to the context you find yourself in. [14:48] - Do a values assessment so you can build awareness about what is important to you. [17:13] - How aware are you of your personal values? Here is an action step to help you improve. [19:02] - Thank you for joining us today, friend! Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co.

There are certain lessons that are universal. Lessons that contain a virtue or truth help people to approach similar situations with the wisdom they gained. Today's guest, Laura Booz, can share lessons from Motherhood that help people understand their calling. Listen as Laura explains her views of motherhood as a calling, why mothers struggle in motherhood, and how to deal with the uncertain times of the maternal journey. Laura Booz is a mother of six, a farm wife, a speaker, and author. Her book, Expect Something Beautiful: Finding God's Good Gifts in Motherhood, is filled with wise, authentic, and practical teachings for moms. Friend, I can say that you don't have to be a mom to gain strong takeaways from this conversation. Laura shares advice about committing to a calling, feeling the pull of a calling, and living out a calling. These lessons compliment each other as they come together. At the start, Laura builds the foundation of the conversation with a surfing analogy. The imagery of searching for a great wave, and catching a great wave. She says her experience writing her book reflects that feeling of navigating and figuring things out. With her book, Laura found an opportunity to position herself in being a mother and writer. It's all about catching the right moment when things come together. Sometimes motherhood is a clear open door that is welcoming and undeniable. Other times, motherhood is not glamorous, and seems to be difficult to continue following. However, the true beauty of the role lies in each mother being specifically called into the role and learning how to be faithful within the role. Listen to Chris and Laura speak on listening to your calling, evolving with your calling, and understanding calling based on quotes from Laura's book. There is power in the faithfulness of following your calling, and there are people and generations who will be influenced by that faithfulness. Time stamps: [01:51] - Laura Booz shares her experience of raising six kids from ages 2 to 16 on a farm with her husband Ryan. [03:23] - Why did Laura write her book? [05:57] - Laura says she never thought she would write a book about motherhood, until she realized her insight is useful to others outside of herself. [08:28] - There are times the pull of your calling is so strong, it barely feels optional. [11:03] - Motherhood is not always glamorous, but Laura emphasizes how the beauty of the role lies in each mother being specifically called into the role. [12:35] - Chris and Laura speak on mothers being life-givers despite the “thankless” and “unseen” aspects that can exist in motherhood.  [15:30] - The calling of motherhood is profound and redemptive. [16:33] - What are Laura's thoughts about motherhood versus personal potential? Is there an intersection of both? [19:00] - In motherhood, your efforts will be honored as you maintain the faith of the efforts you sow. [21:20] - Believe in the blooming of your child, but also believe in the blooming of yourself. Laura shares the idea of growth as women go through motherhood. [23:34] - Sometimes moms might feel as if they are lacking in their purpose of life, but anyone in life in service holds a specialized purpose. [26:07] - Laura gets transparent about how her relationship with her faith impacted her life on the journey of motherhood. [28:42] - Listen to Laura's words of assurance to women and men about losing children. [31:14] - In hard times, ask: What should I do with my heart today? [34:10] - Laura recalls this small moment that had a larger impact than expected. [36:22] - Which motherhood moments bring Laura joy? [39:15] - Hear Laura discuss which topics she finds herself gravitating towards these days as part of her calling. [40:50] - Chris and Laura reflect on dealing with self-conscious thoughts. [43:09] - Chris encourages people to understand insight about ourselves to find direction towards calling. [44:27] - Thank you to Laura, and thank you for listening! Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. LauraBooz.com Book: Expect Something Beautiful Spotify Playlist of songs in the book  Laura's Podcast

When you take a step in a journey and find yourself wanting to know more, that is a sign that something sparked inside you. After receiving curious questions about last week's topic, today's solo episode will go further and deeper. Friend, here is another chance to take one brave step. Listen to today's discussion on understanding strengths and implementing your personal strengths. Honoring your strengths is similar to honoring your potential. Without the use of your strengths, there's a level of service and performance you are not tapping into. Part of growing in your journey is self-awareness; it's a cliché filled with a lot of truth. Honor your strengths and potential by getting to know yourself better. Let's go through methods that allow you to get a better idea of your strengths, and how you can use your strengths. In the episode, I talk about three ways you can identify your strengths. To make it easy, I use three As: Assessment, Attention, and Affirmation. Then, I describe four categories connected to how you may be inclined to carry out your personal strengths. Knowledge of your strengths and how you tend to approach your strengths are your personal form of leverage. Strengths allow you to contribute in society positively, and almost effortlessly. Following your strengths contains a flow as these are the talents that are usually innate. Not every strength you identify will be in full bloom. Perhaps there is a sign of a strength or talent that needs more development. Listen to learn the definition of strengths, how to cultivate strengths, and what strengths have to do with calling. Understand the unique ways you're wired to live out your strengths. You're leaving a big part of yourself out if you don't take time to become aware of your strengths. At the very least, start off by identifying what strengths you can lean towards more in your life. Hey friend, you're gifted. Pay attention to how your strengths inform your calling. Time stamps: [00:18] - I heard that you have questions after last week's episode about strengths, so today's episode is about unpacking your strengths. [02:03] - Let's discuss how to define, identify, and give clarity to strengths. [03:54] - Here are three ways to identify your strengths to start recognizing your talents. First is “Assessment”. [05:26] - Second is “Attention”. When you use your strengths, there is a difference in your attention and energy. [07:24] - Third is “Affirmation”. Pay attention to affirmations around you. [09:07] - Here is how I define strengths. Strengths can appear in a number of ways, like William Wilberforce.  [11:16] - Mother Teresa is a person that used their strengths to amplify their Life Calling. [12:37] - I tell you about Wilbert Awdry, and explain how his work connects to his calling. [14:14] - Great impact is created by positive results from using talents and strengths in the right direction. [15:41] - I describe executing, thinking, relating to others, and influencing in terms of talents. [18:38] - What do strengths have to do with calling? Everything. [20:55] - Develop strengths over time to continue fueling your calling. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co.

Does your work fit into your life the way you hope it does? If you truly follow your calling, you'll see that you're probably going to get hired for what you got in trouble for as a kid. Today's guest stands by this philosophy and urges everyone to understand the personal strengths that are taken for granted. In other words, realize that your strengths can be the origin of your work. Jennifer Vancil provides value as a Strengths-Based Career Coach, and mainly assists people who are looking to feel more connected to their work. She achieved her Bachelor of Arts in Theater and a Masters in Education in Adult Education. Currently, Jennifer teaches the MBA Career Management class at Colorado State University and does career coaching at both Colorado State University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Through her business, Communicating Strengths, Jennifer helps clients handle career changes, resume writing, interview preparation, and positioning for internal promotion. As Communicating Strengths focuses on strongest skills, Jennifer's approach to career management includes knowing the nuances of your strengths to build deeper awareness. Usually, people find a more reliable balance in life once they connect with something intrinsic. Jennifer says that the people she primarily works with are in a scenario where they are not getting to use their top strengths. How does life calling relate to work? Jennifer speaks on the need to have some consistency and some compatibility in your career and work that mirrors your talents. Being honest with yourself, having a discussion about if there is a real match between your view of life and work exposes any disconnect. Jennifer explains how consistency and compatibility across different parts of our life create an integration of calling and work. Listen to Jennifer give the key points of examining our current career, talk through the steps of assessing career options, and explain how to use curiosity to spark change. Time stamps: [00:18] - Jennifer Vancil is a career coach helping people navigate their calling. [02:34] - How does theater merge into how Jennifer delivers her skills today? She talks about the moment her theater skills and coaching skills first overlapped. [05:25] - Jennifer explains power behind the nuances of the Clifton Strengths assessments. [07:18] - Jennifer says you're probably going to get hired for what you got in trouble for as a kid. [09:49] - What does career management include? What sorts of issues are people dealing with in career management? [12:07] - How does life calling relate to work? Jennifer speaks on the need to have some consistency and some compatibility in your work that mirrors your talents. [14:39] - Here's a way to think of calling as an overarching theme that is applicable in more than one field of study or part of life. [17:32] - Jennifer recalls the conversations that happen when deciding a new direction in career and calling. First, acknowledge the need for change. [20:11] - Listen to Jennifer give the key points of examining career and using curiosity to spark change. [23:09] - Jennifer discusses her blog post “Creating a strength-based career” that goes deeper into the strategies she spoke about in this episode. [24:50] - Think about the different roles in your life, and how you can merge your calling into each one. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. CommunicatingStrengths.com Book a call with Jennifer LinkedIn Profile Creating a Strengths Based Career

Every single person walks through a unique set of life circumstances with the power to one day share the skills and lessons from the journey. For instance, my friend Roy Malpas grew up in the slums of Manila, Philippines until a turn of events placed him in a better setting. Roy became more grounded as an adult and found purpose in going back to his community to be a positive influence. His story is the story we all share of carving our purpose. Today, let's talk about finding your place of service in the world. Your place of “service” can come in many forms. What you contribute could be in the form of a job, a hobby, or a role in someone's life. It doesn't matter what form your service takes, the moment you recognize your service you align with your calling. How can you recognize when you match a service? When does a calling appear? The short answer is “It depends on if you're paying attention.” Friend, I encourage you to check in with yourself about how you process your life journey. Many parts of your journey can inform you on where you have the most insight. Lean towards examining how you interpret your life. What stories are you telling yourself? Listen to hear how the intersection of pain and hope relates to a calling, how to make note of what moves your heart, and what to do when a calling is not exciting or thrilling.  Extraordinary callings happen when ordinary people say “yes”. Ironically, we all are ordinary people, so you already qualify for an extraordinary calling. It is with agency, duty, and joy that people have the ability to act on a calling. Friend, the same is true for you. Small steps make big differences. What steps are in front of you today? Time stamps: [01:04] - Listen to the empowering story of my friend Roy Malpas and his positive influence on the slums from his childhood. [02:53] - Sometimes your place of service is where pain and hope intersect. [05:52] - Pay attention to what burns your heart. [07:58] - What happens when you check your feelings, and you notice anger? Anger can incite action. [10:01] - Joy and purpose are still attainable in fulfilling the duty of calling. [12:32] - Know how to balance efforts through the different seasons of life. [14:10] - Remain grounded in mundane or tedious seasons. [15:33] - Extraordinary callings happen when ordinary people say “yes”. [17:15] - Friend, we have the ability to act. Small steps make big differences. [18:47] - What steps are in front of you today? Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co.

Everyone has a story. Trials and the periods of growth we experience give life lessons for us to pass onto others who may need to hear the wisdom we gained from a lived experience. Honoring past lessons allows people to bring new perspectives to the pains that used to drain their energy. Every person who did something worthwhile went through moments that expanded their capacity to follow their true calling. Allan Scott is a singer, a songwriter, and the lead of the national touring band called the Allan Scott Band.  He began playing guitar at 11 years old, and describes the key signs that helped him recognize music as a method to share his calling. During this episode, Allan reflects on the early chapters of his life that fluctuated between stability and instability. He found himself deep into drug addiction, and always looking over his shoulder for being on bad terms with both the police and drug dealers. Thinking through life, Allan believes that all his experiences add to the qualifications of carrying out his calling. Today, learn why Allan Scott's story is related to calling and redemption. Hear why lived experiences turn disqualifications into qualifications, why calling and paid work are not mutually exclusive, and how to embrace joy in the process of becoming the communicator of personal life lessons. Allan emphasizes that calling is not about qualifications or credentials, but is possible by the grace to live out a calling. Allan gives honest insight on why living a calling is not the easiest task, while reassuring how gratifying calling can make life. In his own journey, Allan recognizes that his true calling relates to reaching hurting people. He gives details about the Story Tour that amplifies stories of struggle without shaming or judging those who share their life lessons. Each story reaches different people. Allan's story offers hope, healing, and inspiration in a way that others can't since they did not walk through his story. Allan is an example of why every person's story is a unique, individual gift. Time stamps: [01:40] - Allan Scott explains why the movie “A Walk to Remember” ignited a pivot in his relationship with music. [04:06] - Allan says when people are called to do something there's a pull to continue. [05:58] - Being “traditionally” unqualified doesn't stop a life's purpose from finding a way to shine.  [07:35] - Your calling does not need to be your paid work. [09:38] - Allan reflects on the early chapters of his life that fluctuated between stability and instability, which eventually ventured into drug addiction. [12:05] - Allan speaks about the deteriorating life choices that stemmed from drug addiction. What was the opportunity that set Allan on a new path?  [14:45] - Allan recalls how he grew closer to music and his calling during rehab. [17:07] - Thinking through life, Allan believes that all his experiences add to the qualifications of carrying out his calling. [19:14] - Listen to Allan share a memory of an event for inmates where he saw aggressive facades melt away. [21:33] - If music is the platform, then how does Allan define his actual calling? [23:34] - What is Allan's advice for people that are seeking to live their calling? [26:03] - Allan gives details about the Story Tour. What is the meaning behind the tour? [28:52] - Here is where you can find Allan's music and more information on the Story Tour. [30:48] - What would Allan change about his life if he could? [32:42] - Make it a point to capture the moment of what inspired you in this episode. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. AllanScottMusic.com The Story Tour Interview on 700 Club show

Reality check; the world can be a bit unstable, and we develop our own way of navigating life. That idea may start as a  “downer”, but I'll explain why our own way of navigating life is actually inspirational. The truth is that we're living in a shaky world looking for stability. Yet even in a shaky world, we don't have to be rocked by the world around us. Stability is a life aspect that can bring relief into a person's life, and releases a person from the overwhelm of an unpredictable world. Where do you go to find stability and security? People may place their trust in God, a close knit community, family, banks, and/or insurance companies. These are all external forces people choose to believe in. In this powerfully compact episode, I explain to you why Life Calling can be a place of stability. Global unrest and chaos can be discouraging, but we have control over the pursuit of our Calling. Dreaming, discovering, and daring to act upon Calling is our choice. Calling has four ways of being a stabilizing power. I specifically describe four illustrations of calling to give imagery of what it means to carry out calling. These examples are inspired by Os Guinness, Victor Frankl, organizational psychologists, and the motion picture Titanic. Listen as I share with you why Life Calling causes us to refocus and regain our grip on  living our authentic purpose. The seemingly disconnected portions of our stories combine to create a well-written storyline when looking through the lense of Calling. Calling is an anchor of purpose. When we are true to our Calling, we can truly be grounded in our approach to making the most of our gifts. I don't know what uncertainties we'll face in our day-to-day life, but I do know Calling creates stability in an uncertain world. Friend, let me ask you.... What are you doing with your Calling? Time stamps: [01:08] - This study done by Gallup shows what people look for in leaders and leadership. [02:35] - Here are the four reasons People gave during the study: Trust, Compassion, Hope, and Stability. Let's focus on “Stability”. [03:20] - People usually find security in places that give us relief, like values or community. [04:01] - People can find a stable place of relief in Life Calling. [04:48] - We have individual responsibility to live out our own Life Calling. [05:42] - Calling helps us make sense of our experiences in a well-written storyline. [07:35] - Calling is an anchor of purpose that keeps us grounded and continuing forward. [09:35] - Calling is a lighthouse in dark and desperate times. [11:26] - Calling can be a steady place of service when the setting is shifting. [12:30] - Calling creates stability in an uncertain world. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. The Call Man's Search for Meaning Journal of Organizational Behavior Titanic scene

As summer ends, today's conversation transitions into a talk about Life Calling in respect to college education and college experiences. There is so much that is not covered when people talk about preparing students for college, and a lack of insight for parents as well. Currently, my wife and I are going through the same process with our daughter Asia right now. We're being helped by Carol Ben-Davies, founder of College Bound Determination, a higher education consulting firm that helps college-bound teens and their parents navigate the college journey by taking a strength-based approach. What does calling look like for an adolescent? People say the college years are some of the best years in life, but that's not always true. Carol describes the approach from a college-bound perspective. Not every student knows what they want to do for the rest of their lives, and this disconnect with Life Calling can be exacerbated by a lack of self-awareness.  Parents may be well-meaning, but accidentally misdirect their adolescents to a career that doesn't align with who the student is or what matches the student's skills. Some students even complete school and still don't know what they want or end up in jobs they don't want. College experiences now sometimes lead to youth being disengaged in their jobs; this is why Carol believes that youth should be empowered to trust themselves. She recalls her observations that most students often have what they want to do, their Life Calling, already in them. Carol believes that students need to be empowered to know that what's in their heart of hearts, and where their gut is leading them is an okay decision. She encourages students to know personal strengths and weaknesses. It's not so much about the weaknesses, since we all have strengths. Listen to Carol discuss the lack of self-refinement in navigating the college journey, avoiding common college pitfalls, and pursuing Life Calling over superficial labels. Time stamps: [00:20] - Carol Ben-Davies uses her experiences working with college students to help Gen-Z reach their full potential. [02:47] - Carol recalls the moment that became the catalyst for her efforts in helping students. [05:39] - Both students and parents are misguided about where to place the most focus when prepping for the college journey. [07:13] - College experiences now sometimes lead to youth being disengaged in their jobs. Carol believes that youth should be empowered to trust themselves. [09:29] - Carol gives a specific example of the shift a conversation and self-awareness can have in a student's confidence. [11:08] - What does it mean to take a strength-based approach? [13:50] - Be more specific about highlighting what students naturally do well that they take for granted. [16:09] - Most of the natural sense of calling among adolescents is not cultivated as it once was. What are Carol's thoughts on the topic? [18:22] - Carol points out that students should be encouraged to investigate the topics that catch their interest. [20:23] - Carol mentions the common college pitfalls that increase student drop-out rates. [22:46] - Students should refine themselves at college, not to “find themselves”. [25:40] - Do the tasks and plans, but don't forget to foster the individual. [28:22] - How did Carol know she wanted to work in higher education? [30:33] - Carol explains how Life Calling can be the same across different roles and projects as people transition through their journey. [33:16] - Carol talks about her personal background, and her thoughts on her experience as part of the African American community. [34:49] - Carol talks about the impacts of race and freedom. [36:31] - What advice does Carol have for people who want to live their Life Calling? Carol suggests that people study themselves. [38:08] - Hear Carol speak about compassion fatigue, and also talks about how this ties back into her drive to contribute to social impact.   [41:07] - Find the inspiration of how to encourage each other to follow through with Life Calling. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Text Carol at 919-849-8819 Carol Ben-Davies Instagram

This thing called the Great Resignation is gaining more and more attention in the United States. People have resigned from jobs in record numbers in this year alone, with one reason being that people are not treating work as the Ultimate anymore. At one point, not too long ago, generations before had their minds set on securing a job. That was the ultimate goal: job security. People in this current society are more invested in developing and prioritizing other parts of their life.  More value is placed on purpose these days. People look at what they are missing out on or tolerating and aren't willing to make certain sacrifices for work without purpose. Such work and sacrifices no longer seem worth it. Similarly, you know your calling is bigger than your job or career. How can we look for ways to support a calling through a job or career? We're going to discuss three ways to look at your paid work. Ideas in today's conversation mainly pull from research by Dr. Robert Bellah and Dr. Amy Wrzesniewski. Dr. Bellah was a sociologist in the 1950s who suggested that work has three orientations, and Dr. Wrzesniewski, from Yale, conducted a study that confirmed these orientations. The three orientations are job, career, and calling. Identifying this will help as a guide for discovering where you are at, and where you can go.  Each orientation has distinctions attached to an award. Most times we are connected to a job for material gain. In a career, we pursue a goal with the long-term in mind. Work in calling means we can live being who we are, and the reward is fulfillment. At the most basic, we really should consider work that comes from an intrinsic place, like calling. You don't have to quit in order to live out your calling, but know that you have potential to turn work into a calling more than you think. Time stamps: [00:20] - I talk about feedback I received about last week's episodes. Let's dive deeper into the relationship between work and calling. [02:50] - Your next brave step may look different, but you should have an idea of the big picture. [04:23] - Work can be viewed as three orientations: a job, a career, or a calling. [06:08] - Job, career, and calling give us three different rewards. [09:07] - What is the reward of viewing work as a calling? [11:34] - If you were to identify your work, which orientation relates most? [13:39] - It's okay to work a job, as long as it's under this one condition. [15:54] - How do you turn work into a calling? [17:20] - Here are quick tips you can take action on to shift your work towards calling. [20:11] - I wrap up the quick tips that help you make an actionable shift from work to calling. [23:08] - We're more likely to work on our calling when we participate in relationships that fuel our efforts. [24:34] - Use the tips in this episode to decide what could be your next brave step. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Resources: Robert Bellah Habits of the Heart Amy Wrzesniewski Make Your Job a Calling

Does your job reflect the big picture purpose you feel called to live out? Each person exists to live out their unique gifts, and a unique calling. There's a misconception of a calling being one, singular event. In actuality, calling continues as life develops. Some people will experience their calling in combination with professional work. This can cause others to seek a match between job and purpose, but is there always an intersection of professional work and calling? Today's guest, Bryan Dik, Ph.D., discusses why calling is an on-going pursuit, identifying calling, and the science behind a Life Calling. Bryan is a Professor of Psychology at Colorado State University, and serves as the co-chair of the department. He is the author of four books, a TED talk speaker, and co-founder and Chief Science Officer at jobZology. He commonly performs research to collect an evidence-based understanding of how people connect to work and calling. Through his work, he turns knowledge into guidance for career development strategies, perceptions of work, faith-based career planning, and career counseling interventions. The study of Calling takes a look at the perception individuals have towards their own personal calling, along with the correlation to work. Listen to Bryan explain work, calling, bringing both together as he uses professional, personal, and scientific examples. For those with a faith-orientation, Bryan speaks to the balance of doing both action and prayer in moving closer to a calling. He encourages everyone to take informed actions. In terms of using career guidance tools, Bryan emphasizes that people should choose career assessments that are supported by evidence and reliability, like PathwayU. Generally, a calling is not a singular event. The presence of a calling, at least part of having a calling, means constantly asking questions about how to effectively use unique gifts. From that standpoint, a calling transcends any particular job title or occupation. It's an ongoing pursuit that can connect to reoccurring positive outcomes. Time stamps: [00:20] - Bryan Dik is bringing his expertise on work, calling, and the intersection of both. [02:11] - How did Bryan originally get into his official profession? [04:56] - Bryan affirms that prayer is essential, and warns of separating the practice of prayer from passivity. [07:15] - There's a misconception of a calling being one, singular event. Calling continues as life develops. [09:27] - Bryan explains why a calling is larger than a job role by recalling an exercise he does in workshops. [12:11] - Bryan speaks on the critique that the study of Calling is too soft. [14:39] - Bryan speaks on the critique that the study of Calling is too psycho-spiritual. [16:13] - Recalling a past study, Bryan explains the correlation people make between work and calling, then explains the positive outcomes of living a calling.  [18:43] - What is the connection between calling and paid work? Bryan expands on the definitions of the concepts around work and calling [20:37] - Bryan describes his Life Calling. How does PathwayU help others find their calling? [23:11] - Bryan emphasizes that people should choose career assessments that are backed by evidence and reliability. [25:05] - While thinking back, Bryan chooses this step as a major building block in what got him to his calling. [26:58] - How does collaboration impact calling? [28:58] - What does Bryan say he was born to do? Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. BryanDik.com PathwayU Redeeming Work

Every now and then, life takes a spontaneous turn that frees up space in your daily schedule. Maybe a meeting was postponed. Maybe a friend had to cancel lunch at the last minute.  Suddenly a gap of time is in the schedule. What you do with that unplanned time says something about you. At first, you may find yourself blanking on what to do. It's possible you subconsciously move on to a random task. Imagine if that time was used intentionally. This approach of paying attention to unplanned time is what I am discussing today. I'm actually recording from the road today, and wanted to pop-in to keep in touch with you. My wife and I are celebrating our 20th anniversary. Choosing to love someone is a different feeling. To help you understand “unplanned time”, I reflect on the way I spend time with a significant other, and how the way I am now changed from a situation I constantly found myself in during an earlier relationship. It was an important lesson in how choice is affected when we have the freedom to choose. More importantly, I learned that what we choose to do with our time, especially sudden free time, can tell us a lot about how we feel in our life, and what we value in our life. It's similar to this question: “What would you do if you knew you wouldn't fail?” That question releases you of your mindset limits, so naturally, you choose activities closer to what your heart actually desires. With unplanned time, the gap in your schedule releases the performance of showing up in reaction to the world around you.  During this discussion, I talk through the three main reasons that make unplanned time precious, but overall, that time allows you to make a decision that reflects the life you are building. Continuing to make those spontaneous decisions can give you wisdom to know yourself better, and to be closer to your True Life Calling. Your desire can influence your unplanned time, and looking at what you choose to do will lead you to your brave next step. Time stamps: [00:19] - I'm recording from the road today, and wanted to pop-in to keep in touch with you. [02:03] - Today we talk about time. What happens to unplanned time? [03:18] - People have a choice of how to spend their unplanned time and what they will work towards. [06:00] - Here's what the activities you do during planned time and unplanned time can show you about yourself. [07:32] - Why does unplanned time differ from unplanned time? I share the three reasons that make unplanned time precious. [08:54] - Your desire leads and influences what you do during your unplanned time. [10:18] - I give examples of the reasons that influence what we do in our approach to unplanned time. [11:21] - Sometimes the unplanned becomes planned when aligned with a True Calling. Pay attention to these moments. [13:57] - Decide what you do want to do, and what you don't want to do with your time. [14:51] - Reflect on what your time says about what you are choosing to value. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co.

Many times, we know the next step but we don't want to take it. It's not that we're indecisive, it's that we talk ourselves out of making a choice. We let the next step linger. Yet, what could be holding us back? Let's figure out how to move forward from where we are hesitant and stuck. Failure is a common reason people find themselves avoiding the next step, so today I talk about taking big and small steps towards larger goals. A poem by Erin Hanson gives a great way to think about the next step: a chance to fly. People don't like to feel failure since the word can be attached to a negative meaning. They avoid the chance to fly altogether thinking that they will fail or “fall”. To that thought, like Erin Hanson, I ask the question “But what if you fly?” I want to encourage everyone to step into the substance of purpose. My own Life Calling includes failures, lessons, epiphanies, and triumph. I am on the journey with you. In today's solo episode, I explore different reasons that convince us not to move forward, and what a next step towards purpose can look like for anyone. I also discuss how having a growth mindset impacts a journey versus having a fixed mindset.  From the perspective of a growth mindset, failure can actually be used for our good. We should aim to be a learner and take lessons away from our failures. Most things in life are repairable. It doesn't really matter if you fail; experiences and redirections on our path can add up to something wonderful. Not trying to fly is a bigger risk than falling. The sky is too wide to waste a chance to fly. We can all soar in a way that celebrates our authentic path. Rather than regretting years that passed without change, let's discover what steps to take from moment to moment in our Life Calling. Time stamps: [00:20] - I take time to acknowledge people working in Children and Youth services after working with an organization recently. [01:38] - Thank you to the two amazing guests, Bob Goff and Josh Davis, for giving great advice and spending time on the Life Calling Today podcast. [03:33] - Today's show is a solo episode, and this poem by Erin Hanson inspired the topic of today's podcast. [06:35] - William Wilberforce, an English politician and abolitionist, chose to live his philanthropy through his professional work. [08:20] - William tried to abolish slavery for 20 years, before a bill finally passed. [10:33] - Here is my story of flying. I share with you a huge decision to live my calling in a larger capacity. [12:30] - We each have a step towards our Life Calling that can change the trajectory of our path. What would that step look like? [14:17] - It's not that we don't know the next step, it's that we don't take it. We let the next step linger. [15:52] - Here is the difference of impact a fixed mindset and growth mindset can have. [17:35] - I tell you a story of learning a lesson from a failure that helped redirect the way I follow my Life Calling. [20:15] - Failing creates an experience that adds to our journey. Besides failure, what could possibly be holding you back? [22:56] - We're all responsible for our own lives. We can't let obstacles stay in our way. [25:00] - Do this to move closer to taking your next step. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co.

To get the most out of life, find the combination in identity that overlaps desire, needs, and service. Searching for true identity involves getting in touch with purpose and values. Simplify these concepts by thinking of the ideas as using unique gifts and perspectives that develop with life experience. If that still seems too complicated, there's a simpler way to think about it, and this episode talks about how to step into that idea. Originally, I didn't plan on having two guests immediately after each other, but the timing was right. Today's conversation is held with Josh Davis, an Olympic gold medalist. Josh is most recognized for winning three gold medals during the 1996 Olympics, then, he would later gain two more medals as team captain during the 2000 Olympics. Josh has the ability to speak to passion, discipline, identity, and changing seasons. After the Olympics, Josh continues to fill his life with swimming. He held swim clinics, participated in Masters swimming, began a college swimming program that he coaches, and still maintains time for personal practice. Alongside filling his own life, he serves and pours into others. In Josh's perspective, using unique gifts to empower others is better than winning a gold medal. He mentions that he loves to use his passion to inspire the next generation, and stays connected with his colleagues who also love swimming. Josh explains that he empowers others through speaking engagements where there is a chance to express what he learned over the years. He says that Olympic stories transcend sports into stories of overcoming, hope, and doing our best. What Josh learned most is that purpose involves spending time in the things that bring joy. Realizing how to tap into personal joy and spark joy in others helps nudge life towards an authentic Life Calling. Listen to hear the three sets of words Josh keeps in mind that help clarify where to aim his joy that leads his purpose. Time stamps: [01:07] - Josh Davis is known as an Olympic powerhouse, and made significant contributions to the USA swimming team. Still today, Josh remains heavily involved with swimming. [03:40] - I bring up a memory about how Josh actually coached for a swim camp I attended. [06:36] - Josh shares his feelings about being a speaker, and the impacts he makes on others. [08:12] - Josh recalls when his Olympic medals were stolen.  [10:25] - When did Josh first dream of going to the Olympics? [12:00] - Josh's coach did this one thing to re-inspire Josh to work intentionally towards winning an Olympic gold medal. [14:37] - Hear Josh define his understanding of Life Calling. He uses three sets of words to bring clarity to his direction. [17:10] - Josh says every mom deserves a gold medal, and talks about raising six children with his wife. [19:24] - Josh expresses the evolution of the swimming college program he created. [21:41] - Being a leader in a coaching setting requires a different set of skills from Josh. [24:31] - How does Josh keep his sense of “self” healthy? [26:10] - Invest life in the things that give you the most joy for the longest amount of time. [28:15] - Does Josh consider swimming consequential or coincidental in relation to his life journey? [29:51] - What do you use as your means to fully live your Life Calling? Josh recalls the promises he made to himself. [32:52] - Josh encourages people to take care of themselves without falling into the trap of distraction. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. JoshDavis Josh Davis Instagram Ultimate Swimmer Podcast Ultimate Swimmer Instagram Made To Pray book

Dreaming big means following a larger ambition, and honestly, one of the largest ambitions someone can have is to live their Life Calling. Pursuing a Life Calling is not always obvious. If you can get a handle on the things that are most important to you, and get a feel for the direction you are heading in, you'll be better off in your journey of living a purposeful life. Identify your limiting beliefs to become more aware of how you deal with your ambitions. Like you, I experience my own moments of questioning the mindset I have toward my ambitions. One of these moments was actually brought on by reading the book written by today's guest. My guest today, and the first guest on the Life Calling Today podcast, is Bob Goff. Up to now, some of Bob's titles include best selling author, speaker, lawyer, professor, honorary consulate, and coach. He lives a life of following the flow of his curiosity.  That curiosity and courage to try something new is why I refer to Bob as the “Dream Catalyst”. Bob Placed his curiosity, courage, and reflections in his book “Dream Big”. It was the first book of his that I read, and his message resonated so much that I wanted to invite Bob to personally share his perspective on pursuing a purposeful life. Bob says life planning involves getting a handle on what your biggest ambitions are saying to you. Not only should you know the ambitions, but it's beneficial to recognize what you do and do not need on your journey in the direction of that ambition. Bob reminds us to not only think about the life we envision, but to also take action.  In Bob's eyes, people need to participate in life. I find that this concept of participating, and taking a small step, is very related to pursuing your Life Calling. Celebrate moments through life as you decide what's best for your journey. Time stamps: [00:20] - Bob Goff is the first guest on the Life Calling Today podcast! Who is Bob Goff? [02:21] - What is Bob Goff busy doing at the Oaks Center? [03:55] - Bob explains why he puts his phone number in his books. [05:37] - Through Bob Goff's book, Dream Big, I could confront the idea of having limiting beliefs around my ambitions and dreams. [08:23] - Bob Goff encourages people to find their big ambition, and explore opportunities. [10:28] - Expect setbacks, but clear the path. [12:48] - Bob suggests that you confront the limiting beliefs that make you feel like your ambitions are not available to you. [14:39] - Taking one small step means that you actively participate in life. [17:36] - Bob talks about being in a state of readiness to fully embrace moments of courage. [19:41] - Development and the ambition of Life Calling is connected. [22:32] - How to change the direction of life? Bob Goff explains why you need to know what kind of life you want. [24:11] - Bob encourages people to take notes and be observant of their life. [26:04] - It takes courage and faith to admit that you no longer want to live as you did previously. [28:25] - Bob shares a personal example of embracing new opportunities with excitement, even with a lack of knowledge. [30:37] - Bob's advice to anyone seeking purpose in life. [33:10] - Be honest about what you're lacking, and what you're striving for. There's no a need to pretend everything is “okay”. [34:59] - Is “dreaming big” a choice or predetermined?” [37:10] - Bob answers a question from the Life Calling deck. [39:24] - Ask questions to help yourself align with the life you want. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co. Bob Goff Coaching with Bob Goff Dream Big by Bob Goff Oaks Center

Every now and then, you'll be in the middle of a task that has a natural flow. Being in that flow can be fast and exhilarating or gradual and peaceful, simply, the common thread is that you experience that flow. Steady in that moment, you think to yourself “I was made for this”. That can inform your Life Calling. Stepping into your Life Calling is a journey, and everyone begins in a different place. Some people know what they want to pursue already, and live according to that passion. Some people are still in the process of discovering their purposeful contribution to this life. Some people are using their talents casually, but do not recognize those very same abilities are part of their Life Calling. Today, I want to share my thoughts around Life Calling, and see what resonates with you. At one point in my journey, I learned to pay attention to these moments of feeling like “I was made for this”, or “I could do this forever”. Those become important signals to guide us toward our true contribution to this world. Becoming more aware of our Life Calling opens a path filled with experiences. Honestly, there's no absolute destination in this Life Calling journey; there's only movement from experience to experience. Starting a journey is usually the part people feel the most resistance with. I'll help get you started by explaining the four components of recognizing and pursuing your Life Calling. The four components are supernatural purpose, bringing good to the world, creating personal joy and meaning, and utilizing any innate strengths. Knowing what to look for will help you to aim your strengths.  You don't need to be famous or have widespread impact, to live a meaningful Life Calling. There are everyday actions and roles that provide purpose and service in this world. Since no purpose is too big or too small, you should also realize that you can have multiple callings. Sometimes, those callings can be going on at one time. Let's take time to reflect on how much we are connected to our Life Calling at this point in our journey.  Time stamps: [00:20] - I share my paddleboarding story. I'll tell you why it was a great analogy for following your Life Calling. [02:42] - There's a declaration and feeling behind Life Calling you can't miss. [04:29] - The four components of Life Calling are supernatural purpose, bringing good to the world, creating personal joy and meaning, and utilizing innate strengths. [05:08] - “Supernatural purpose” is the stronger sense of purpose that goes beyond yourself. I speak on how “beyond” is open to your worldview. [07:41] - “Bringing good to the world” emphasizes that your Life Calling impacts others positively. “Creates personal joy and meaning” is the portion of Life Calling that fuels you by tapping into a meaningful energy. [10:41] - “Utilizing innate strengths” relates to the abilities that we naturally have or that we develop, and leveraging those talents in our Life Calling. [12:33] - We can have multiple callings, and sometimes, those callings can be going on at one time.  [14:04] - I share with you how Harriet Tubman is an example of fearlessly following your Life Calling with the four components. [16:17] - Despite feeling hesitant, Harriet Tubman chose to be an active player rather than a bystander in the journey of life. [18:45] - Harriet Tubman's decision matrix to live her Life Calling created a positive ripple effect that brought good into the world. [21:11] - Action and faith are a combination that fueled Harriet Tubman, and helped her leverage her innate strengths. [23:39] - What did you resonate with today that made you think of your journey in your Life Calling? Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co.

Let's talk about having no regrets and going all in for your one true life. Deciding to make our own choices is one of the first steps to living our one true calling. We must take the chance to ignore the myths we were told about the path of fitting into the life planned by others for us. In theory, we'd be more than happy to live our true life, but sometimes that transition comes with obstacles. Shouldn't living our true life be an easy thing? Thinking about this theme, I realize a transformation calls for us to intentionally step outside of our normal cadence. Doing the opposite, and letting days slip by, can be referred to as an unlived life. Most of us experience at least a phase of this pressure, where we are only going through the motions. That pulls us further away from our purpose. I share with you how we can live consciously in our days to make the most of the time we have while living.  Every day is a new opportunity to choose differently, yet we don't have an endless set of tomorrows. Don't get to the point of not being able to make up for time that already passed. We'll talk about the top five regrets of the dying, and the one common answer that relates to our conversations today. You might live someone else's life and not your own if not careful. A great journey in life is about growing into who we really are. It's about becoming, and it's about our one true calling. Are your actions for your life or someone else's life? It's really good to assess where we're at, since if we don't assess where we're at we can't make plans to get to where we want to go. Let me know about that one step you took toward living your one true calling. Time stamps: [00:52] - Let me tell you about the concept of an unlived life. [03:16] - Are your actions for your life or someone else's life? [04:51] - I tell you what I tried to do to fit in with the “popular” guys. Here's what I learned about what was wrong with my approach. [07:42] - It becomes a big trap for us to think we have to be different people. [10:36] - Let's look at a few obstacles that come up when we try to live our true life, starting with seeking approval. [13:12] - Disidentifying can be another form of an obstacle that can cause us to lose parts of ourselves, even if it came from a good intention. [15:02] - Sometimes it's easier to stay on the path you started walking, but you may need to redirect your momentum. [17:16] - Mindsets and beliefs hold you back. Mindsets and beliefs can also propel you forward. [19:17] - I want you to make the most of your days while you can still do something about it. [20:50] - What is one adjustment you can make today to live a life true to yourself? Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co.

Going through life, we sometimes wander aimlessly after letting society or situations have more influence than our own instincts. When we find ourselves feeling disconnected to life, that may be a sign that we are not living our true life calling. We can bravely reclaim our purpose in life despite feeling lost or feeling it's too late. Our true life calling is a gift to ourselves and the lives we encounter, so discovering where we are meant to live out our purpose is a worthwhile journey. Life Calling Today welcomes everyone that is willing to go on the journey to living a purposeful life. Here, we want to explore the topic of life calling, and help each other take our next brave step to make the most of our one true life.  As an introduction, we'll get to learn more about what brought the Life Calling Today podcast into existence. I'm your host, Chris Heinz, and I will explain who I am, the purpose of the podcast, how I relate to you, and why you might connect with this podcast. I can identify with all sorts of reasons why you might be here, and I'm learning alongside you. That's part of how Chris Heinz Co. started, and how I continue to create resources for growth that spur on personal progress and development. It's never too late to start working toward our one true calling, and it's never too late to reroute our journey. We don't always need to restart from the beginning. In fact, sometimes we can't go back to the beginning. We can only take one single, simple step in a new direction to get back on track to our life calling. People who feel they want to make the most out of their purpose will find the Life Calling Today podcast as a place to hear stories of triumph and mindful lessons. We'll have conversations with guests who learned to take small steps in their journey to get where they are now. Today, listen to my personal story of changing direction after being established in a full-time career. Time stamps: [00:35] - By the end of the episode, we'll understand a lot about the Life Calling Today podcast and why we came together. [01:21] - On this podcast, we can explore our life calling to fully live our purpose. [02:03] - What connects to my life calling? [03:16] - Together, we can take brave steps to live a purposeful life. [03:53] - Just get on the journey! It's never too late. [04:32] - It's never too late to start, and it's never too late to get back on track. [06:05] - Reasons behind the moment to find our true calling. [08:28] - As we live, discontentment can be a good thing that leads to a new direction. I share my own experience of moments aligning with my change in direction. [10:26] - What did I do when a new path opened up? [11:34] - I am just like YOU. We're all learning. [12:50] - Let's take one small step toward our life calling. Links: Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co.