Work Love Pray: Real Talk Grounded in Truth

In this episode, host Jordan Johnstone speaks with Sharon Beach, a remarkable individual whose life story exemplifies resilience. Sharon shares her harrowing experience of being kidnapped and the strength she found in her faith to escape and recover. In this conversation, Sharon shares her profound journey of healing and resilience following her traumatic experiences. She emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, the role of faith in overcoming obstacles, and the significance of surrounding oneself with supportive people. Key Takeaways Resiliency is defined as embracing God's promise for our lives. Childhood challenges can shape our ability to be resilient. Community plays a crucial role in personal growth and support. Resiliency is a mindset that can be cultivated throughout life. Planning and mental strength are key in overcoming trauma. Living well is a powerful form of revenge against adversity. Faith can guide us through the darkest times. The journey of healing can take time but is achievable. Sharing our stories can help others find strength. Forgiveness can be a powerful release from burdens. God's presence can carry us through difficult times. Resilience often comes from a blend of faith and personality. Sharing one's story can help others find healing. Surrounding yourself with supportive people is crucial. It's important to take life one day at a time. God's timing is essential in our journeys. Emotional struggles are common for victims of trauma. Encouragement can come from scripture and faith. Helping one person can fulfill a greater purpose.

In this episode, guest Reagan Cannon and host Jordan Johnstone discuss the importance of feedback in professional growth and how to give and receive feedback effectively. Reagan emphasizes the role of trust in feedback, and addresses the challenges that women face in giving and receiving feedback. Reagan and Jordan also explore the Christian approach to feedback and the importance of teaching and setting clear expectations. Key Takeaways Feedback is crucial for professional growth and should be given and received regularly. Trust plays a significant role in the effectiveness of feedback. Women face unique challenges in giving and receiving feedback due to societal expectations. The Christian approach to feedback involves teaching, setting clear expectations, and giving feedback with love and empathy.

In this episode, Melissa Harrison, Executive Director of 4word, and Catherine Gates, Executive Director of Polished Network, share their initial reactions to the decision to merge organizations, the vision for unity, and the importance of collaboration in serving Christian women in the workplace. The conversation also highlights the Taste of 4word Roadshow and the excitement surrounding the changes expected in 2025, emphasizing the commitment to support and empower even more Christian women in the workplace through this merger.

In this episode, Heidi Rasmussen, 4word board chair and president, and Sheila Walls, Polished Network board president, discuss the origin of the merger between 4word and Polished Network. They share their personal journeys into leadership, the divine calling that led to the merger, and the importance of empowering women in the workplace. The conversation highlights the unity and collaboration between the two organizations, emphasizing the positive impact we aim to have on Christian women in the workplace.

In this episode, Debi Wolfe discusses the evolving landscape of performance reviews. She explores the ineffectiveness of the traditional review process and advocates for a shift towards continuous feedback and forward-looking evaluations. Debi emphasizes the importance of building trust between leaders and employees, encouraging a culture where feedback is a two-way street.

In this episode, Denise Grace Gitsham, a political contributor, attorney, speaker, and author, joins host, Jordan Johnstone, to discuss the importance of storytelling and its impact. Denise highlights the significance of storytelling in leadership, sales, and motivating others. She also shares how storytelling can be used to talk about personal accomplishments and professional successes, emphasizing the importance of sharing stories as a testimony of God's goodness and inspiring others. Key Takeaways Storytelling is a powerful tool that engages our emotions and activates different parts of our brains, making it more memorable and relatable. Storytelling is effective in leadership, sales, and motivating others, as it helps convey messages in a way that resonates with people. Sharing personal accomplishments and professional successes through storytelling can be done by viewing them as a testimony of God's goodness and inspiring others. Being truthful about the results of a year while maintaining a positive and encouraging tone can be achieved through storytelling that focuses on growth, learning, and resilience. Authenticity and speaking truthfully about challenges can minister to others. Authenticity is important in leadership and can inspire trust and connection. Storytelling is a powerful tool in various contexts, such as politics and thought leadership. Crafting an authentic story involves knowing your audience and staying on message. God's discipline can shape and transform us, even in the realm of politics.

In this special episode, host Jordan Johnstone speaks with 4word's Executive Director, Melissa Harrison, about the significance of 4word Giving Week and the special way we're sharing the impact of our global ministry.

Trust is foundational to any interaction in our lives, so it should be foundational in our planning and leading. In this episode, Rev. Dr. Margaret Grun Kibben discusses the importance of trust and how to build it. She emphasizes the need for self-awareness, relationships, and experiences in building trust. Dr. Kibben shares her personal approach to modeling trust and highlights the role of vulnerability in building trust. Key Takeaways Trust is foundational to any interaction in our lives and should be prioritized in our planning and leading. Building trust requires self-awareness, relationships, and experiences. Trust in God forms the foundation for trusting others. Modeling trust involves being real, grounded in faith, and reflecting the fruits of the spirit. Trust and inclusion are interconnected, and trust can encourage team building and create a positive workplace culture.

In this episode, Charmaine Solomon, a licensed professional counselor and mentor in the 4word Mentor Program, discusses the challenges of integrating faith in the workplace, and the role of mentorship in advancing in one's career and faith. She also highlights the benefits of the 4word Mentor Program and encourages listeners to sign up for the fall session. Key Takeaways Mentorship is essential for integrating faith and work, as it provides guidance, support, and accountability. Integrating faith in the workplace starts with declaring one's faith and acting in a Christian-like way. Building a community of like-minded individuals in the workplace can create a safe and supportive environment for sharing and living out one's faith. The 4word Mentor Program offers a valuable opportunity for mentorship and growth in integrating faith and work. Passing on the baton of faith and leadership to rising leaders within an organization is essential for building a strong community of faith-based leaders.

In this episode, Diana Romero, founder and CEO of Integrated Purpose Management, shares the importance of integrating faith and work. She explores how individuals can authentically live out their faith in the workplace and the impact it can have on their colleagues. She also discusses the role of companies in creating a faith-friendly environment and provides practical advice for employees and organizations.

In this episode, Christy Wright discusses the importance of setting boundaries and recognizing when it's time to establish or reinforce them. She shares personal experiences and insights on how to overcome the fear of setting boundaries and the power of saying "no." Christy also emphasizes the role of boundaries in creating balance and finding peace in a chaotic life. She encourages defining success, establishing structure, and intentionally doing less to protect your time and energy.

In this episode, Mindy Caliguire discusses the topic of burnout and the importance of soul care. She explores the symptoms and causes of burnout, as well as the challenges women face in caring for their souls. Mindy shares her personal experience with burnout and emphasizes the need for a deep resolve to prioritize soul care. She also differentiates between self-care and soul care, highlighting the importance of connecting with God's presence and being responsive to His work in our lives.

In this episode, host Jordan Johnstone and guest Jennifer Howell discuss the importance of empathy and its role in the workplace. They explore the difference between empathy and sympathy, and how empathy can complement self-awareness. Jennifer shares a personal experience of how empathy in the workplace impacted her and offers strategies for leaders to model empathy and build team connection.

In this episode, the conversation explores the importance of self-awareness in emotional intelligence (EQ) and how it relates to mindfulness. Dr. Merary Simeon, a Fortune 50 HR executive, shares insights on self-awareness and its impact on personal and professional growth. She emphasizes the need to pause, reflect, and understand our emotions, triggers, and inner world. Dr. Merary and host, Jordan Johnstone, discuss the importance of self-awareness and vulnerability in managing emotions and building relationships. They also explore the connection between self-awareness and forgiveness in emotional healing.

In this episode, Dr. Shannon Crawford, founder and CEO of Crawford Clinics, discusses how society's lack of margin and constant bombardment contribute to higher levels of anxiety. Dr. Crawford introduces the concept of restoring self-cohesion, which involves identifying the unconscious beliefs that contribute to anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of building emotional strength and resilience, increasing emotional connection and intimacy, and using anxiety as a barometer for rebalancing and recalibrating one's life. Key Takeaways Society's lack of margin and constant bombardment contribute to higher levels of anxiety. Anxiety is not caused by situational stress, but by our perception of our ability to handle stress effectively. Restoring self-cohesion involves identifying unconscious beliefs that contribute to anxiety. Building emotional strength and resilience is important for personal growth. Sharing anxieties with trusted individuals can increase emotional connection and intimacy. Using anxiety as a barometer can help identify areas in life that need rebalancing and recalibrating. Anxiety can be a diagnostic tool, signaling that something is out of alignment in our lives. Paying attention to the physical symptoms of anxiety can help us understand and address the underlying causes. Finding resolution for anxiety involves taking care of our physical health, processing emotions, and seeking spiritual guidance. It is important to recognize the influence of the Enemy and to bind anxiety and other negative emotions in the name of Jesus.

In this episode, guest Alli Worthington discusses anxiety and its impact on women. She and host, Jordan Johnstone, explore the intersection of faith and business, the importance of getting help, and strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome and setbacks. They also emphasize the role of mentorship and self-care in managing anxiety, and highlight the challenges women face in the workplace. Alli provides our listeners with practical advice for navigating anxiety and building resilience. Key Takeaways Anxiety is a common struggle for women, particularly in the workplace, due to societal expectations and the mental load they carry. Entrepreneurship can be a catalyst for anxiety, but it also provides an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. Getting help, whether through therapy, coaching, or mentorship, is crucial for managing anxiety and maintaining mental well-being. Overcoming imposter syndrome requires taking action, embracing vulnerability, and recognizing that growth often involves discomfort. Self-care, including practices like breathwork and intentional time for relaxation, is essential for managing anxiety and maintaining overall well-being.

In this episode, Paula Brown Stafford and Lisa T. Grimes discuss the importance of organizational culture and the need for individuals to be able to showcase their personal strengths and skills in the workplace. They share personal experiences of struggling with conformity and emphasize the importance of authenticity in creating a healthy organizational culture. The role of communication in staying true to oneself is also explored, along with the significance of continuous learning and taking calculated risks.

In this conversation, Stephanie Chung shares insights on creating a healthy organizational culture and emphasizes the importance of healthy confrontation and over-communication. Stephanie also highlights the need for empathy and understanding among team members and discusses the significance of building a collaborative culture. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in leadership and provides a sneak peek into her upcoming book, Ally Leadership.

In this conversation, Christy Wright discusses the topic of confidence and why it is a struggle for many women. Christy also highlights the impact of imposter syndrome and the fear of failure on women's confidence. She emphasizes the importance of setting goals to increase confidence and shares insights on how to overcome setbacks and maintain confidence. Christy encourages individuals to seek community and surround themselves with supportive and authentic people. She also provides goal-setting resources and suggests setting goals that align with one's current season of life to build confidence.

In this conversation, Nona Jones discusses the issue of lack of confidence in society and the impact of toxic comparison on personal confidence. She shares her own journey of finding confidence and provides practical steps to detox from toxic comparison. Nona emphasizes the importance of reframing thoughts and celebrating sufficiency instead of grieving deficiency. She also recommends studying the story of Jonathan, Saul, and David as a resource for building personal confidence. Additionally, Nona advises controlling social media and not letting it control one's self-esteem. Order Nona's book here! 

In this episode, Diane Paddison and Melissa Harrison discuss their journey of meeting and working together to address the issue of loneliness among women leaders. They share their personal experiences of loneliness in their respective roles, and Diane shares how it led her to start 4word, a ministry that provides community and support for women leaders. Diane announces her transition to the founder role of 4word and introduces Melissa as our new executive director. They discuss the growth of 4word and their excitement for the future of the ministry. Key Takeaways Loneliness is a common struggle among women leaders, especially those in senior executive roles. Community and support are essential for combating loneliness and providing a safe space for women leaders to share their experiences. 4word has experienced significant growth and impact, reaching millions of women and providing resources and programs to support their leadership journeys. Diane's transition to the founder role and Melissa's appointment as the new executive director mark an exciting new season for 4word, with a focus on expanding its reach and continuing to serve women leaders.

Beginning this month's discussion on loneliness is someone who has become a huge voice for speaking on it. Liz Forkin Bohannon, founder of Sseko Designs and the author of Beginner's Pluck, is a dear friend of 4word and we love her because she is fearless, empathetic, and not afraid to get in the trenches on things she is passionate about. And what she is most passionate about these days is dissolving the stigma around loneliness and getting all of us very comfortable with identifying and resolving loneliness in our lives.  Episode links: Watch "You Are Not Alone in Feeling Alone" Sign up for Liz's newsletter to download her FREE reflective listening

Continuing the conversation on grounded leadership is Linda Valdez Thompson. Linda is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in leading global private and public sector organizations. After a 20+ year successful career at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport as an executive vice president and at Fortune 500 companies such as Levi Strauss, Baxter, and Hasbro,  Linda consults with clients in the areas of Leadership Development & Training, Human Resources, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.  Linda is also a 4word Board member and a Certified Strengths Coach from Gallup. She is passionate about helping people not just find their strengths but also put them to use individually and combined with the strengths of those around them.

As Christians, we know the Bible is God's Word, meant to be a guide, a comforter, and a motivator as we each follow the path God has laid before us. But what might be of interest to you as you think about moving forward in your career, is that the Bible also talks extensively about business and offers insights for leaders at any place in their professional journey.  In this episode, you will hear from Nicholas Leone, founder of Business Bible, and 4word founder, Diane Paddison. They discuss how faith integrated into business can produce miraculous results, and share about the exclusive 4word edition of Business Bible. 

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Martin walks us through her final two aspects of her personal meaning of Christmas, and both Nicole and host, Jordan Johnstone, share why they think Christ coming as a baby and not as a full-grown adult holds significance for all Christians.

To wrap up the 2023 season of Work, Love, Pray, we wanted to bring back one of our favorite guests to speak about Christmas and what it means to her. Dr. Nicole Martin, Chief Impact Officer at Christianity Today, is one of our favorite people to share with our 4word community! We have never had an interaction with her in which we did not feel God speaking through her to us with the exact words and encouragement we needed most in that time.  In this episode, Nicole talks about three things that make up her personal definition of Christmas and what the holiday season means to her.

In this episode, 4word founder, Diane Paddison, and 4word's Director of Programs, Marion Medina, speak on how your gratitude can actually transform the lives of others. Diane and Marion also share what gratitude means to both of them and what they are especially grateful for at 4word this year.

To begin this month's conversation centered around gratitude, Marisa Fienup, 4word advisory board member and Senior Director of Product Management for Tandem Diabetes, joins host, Jordan Johnstone, to share why gratitude is something she is very mindful to dedicate time to each day. Marisa also shares a list of 4 ways gratitude can transform every area of your life.

In this episode, Kay Lynn Mayhue, President of Merit, and host, Jordan Johnstone, talk about why financial planning can be an uncomfortable process, which can also lead to some mistakes or missteps when approaching your finances as a professional woman. Kay Lynn also shares her financial planning top win and biggest mistake, and offers advice on how to start financial planning, no matter where you are in life.

To help you as you wrap up this year and plan for the next one, we are dedicating the month of October to talking about financial planning—what it looks like, how you do it, and why it's so important.  Join host Jordan Johnstone as she interviews Kay Lynn Mayhue, President of Merit, which manages over 5 billion in RIA and Brokerage assets under management. Kay Lynn is passionate about helping people take their careers – and themselves – to exceptional levels, which is exactly what we hope you are able to do with the resources that 4word provides this month!

In the previous episode, you met Molly Fletcher, entrepreneur and host of the podcast, Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Molly shared how she embraces learning in her own life and career, and reassured all of us that asking questions and being curious is a sign of confidence, not weakness.      In this episode, Molly and host, Jordan Johnstone, discuss how to overcome obstacles like fear that may be keeping you from stepping out of your comfort zone to take advantage of a learning opportunity. Molly also shares how she encourages learning within her own team and how together they prioritize developing as individuals and as a company.

Join host Jordan Johnstone as she interviews Molly Fletcher to discuss how you can become a lifelong learner and why it's something that you prioritize. There's never a wrong time to be learning, and actively seeking out opportunities to learn will not only enrich your life, but it will also strengthen your relationships with others as they connect with you through your journey to learn and understand more about them and what they do.  Molly Fletcher, entrepreneur, speaker, author, and host of the podcast Game Changers with Molly Fletcher, returns to the podcast and shares why learning is something that she is incredibly passionate about and believes in the importance of. 

In this episode, Martha Newsome and host, Jordan Johnstone, talk about how Medical Teams International is working to bring awareness to more issues happening around the world. Martha also shares who the most influential leaders have been in her life and what makes her most proud as CEO.

Join host Jordan Johnstone and guest Martha Newsome, CEO and president of Medical Teams International, as they discuss exponential and influential leadership. As you listen to their conversation, you will hear the joy and genuine heart that Martha has, not just for the communities that Medical Teams assists, but also for the people on her staff that partner with her to have an impact on the hurting parts of the world. Martha is an authentic example of influential and exponential leadership and we are so grateful we all get to learn from her this month.

In this episode, Keri and host Jordan Johnstone go deeper into seven shifts that will result when a woman is leading a movement in her sphere of influence. Keri uses these shifts to further define how a movement maker should structure their movement in order to not just see it be successful, but also see it make the difference in the world that it was intended to make from its inception.

This month's Work, Love, Pray guest is Keri Ladouceur. Keri is a speaker, coach, and pastor. Through her decades of experience in the corporate world and now in ministry, she has come to deeply recognize and resonate with the need for more women-led movements in this world. If “being the change” is something that has been on your heart lately, then this month's episodes are 100% for you.

In this episode, Tracey and Jordan dive into what good and genuine influence is actually all about, how to take on the role of being an influence without neglecting the other parts of your life (hello, work/life balance!), and Tracey shares about the mentors and influences in her life that made her career possible.

This month's Work, Love, Pray guest is Tracey Newell. Tracey has built a highly successful career in sales and leadership, working with companies like Juniper Networks, Webex, and Cisco Systems. She now serves on the boards of five high-growth software companies, and is passionate about helping companies and the teams that power them see and utilize their full potentials. As you will hear, the topic of influence and becoming a woman of influence is something that Tracey does not shy away from, and she is able to infuse this important conversation with many insights she has learned herself.

In this episode, Dr. Shannan Crawford and host, Jordan Johnstone, walk their way through the last two steps in the boundary-setting process, and also talk about working through the possible “fear of missing out” feelings you may battle when you start flexing your new “say no” muscles.

Do you want to be more resilient? Do you want to be more present? Do you want to feel more honest with yourself and in turn, with those in your life? Mental health plays a huge part in making those goals (and many others) a reality for your life. This month's guest is Dr. Shannan Crawford. If you've followed 4word for at least the past couple of years, you will recognize her name AND voice! Dr. Crawford is a licensed psychologist and the CEO of Crawford Clinics, and she is also the host of the podcast Unlock U. In this first episode of May, Dr. Crawford discusses how the personal decision and commitment to create boundaries is a perfect infusion into the foundation of your own unstoppable development.

In this episode, we wrap up our conversation with Shae Bynes by talking about the recurring role that vulnerability and transparency play in our walk with God, and how, as a Christian woman, you can grow not just your confidence in your relationship with God but also your confidence in God.

Shae Bynes, entrepreneur and author of Grace Over Grind: How Grace Will Take Your Business Where Grinding Can't, leads listeners down a path toward a thriving relationship with God, offering insights into how she has had to prioritize this relationship building in her life and what she has learned is vital to growing as close to God as possible.

In this episode, we wrap up our conversation with Michelle Quinn, Vice President Of Business Development at Constellis, by talking about what female empowerment can look like in the United States and how the negative workplace tendency to pit women against each other in order to stand out as competent and capable is hindering efforts to offer every woman the chance to be positively empowered.

In this month's episodes, Michelle Quinn, Vice President Of Business Development at Constellis, shares her heart for helping those who need the support of others to survive and make their communities a better place for all. In this episode, Michelle dives into what female empowerment should really entail and how you can be an advocate for your own empowerment.

In our last episode, you met Liz Forkin Bohannon with Sseko Designs. Liz followed God's calling in her heart for the women of Uganda and through her tenacity and willingness to ask the hard questions and take the big steps of faith, she has written a story full of the beautiful results of being open and willing to follow after God's plan, no matter how daunting each twist and turn along the way may look.  In this episode, our conversation with Liz wraps up by talking about the idea of prosperity and how to get in the right mindset about what success looks like for your dream. Liz also shares the advice she would give to anyone standing at the starting line of taking their dream or belief and making it their life's destiny. 

As you learn how to be unstoppable this year, you will see that planning and strategy are only effective if you put them to use. How do you take that first step of your plan for the year? What does it take to turn that dream or belief you're carrying close to your heart into a tangible destiny?  This month, you'll hear from more about this journey of turning a belief into a destiny from someone very near and dear to the 4word community and someone very familiar with following after a desire: Liz Forkin Bohannon, founder of Sseko Designs, an accomplished speaker, and best-selling author of Beginner's Pluck: Build your life of purpose and impact now. Liz was also named by Forbes Magazine as one of the top 20 public speakers, and Bloomberg Magazine named Liz as one of the top social entrepreneurs to watch.

In the last episode, you met Melissa Peak with Amazon Web Services. You were likely able to very quickly pick up on the fact that Melissa truly wants to see women just like her grow and succeed in their workplaces, but at a healthy pace that brings true joy and fulfillment to them while also honoring God and the path He has laid out for each of us.  In this episode, the conversation concludes by tackling why women take on tasks and responsibilities that we KNOW are not meant for us, and Melissa walks through what a healthy planning and strategy session for your new year goals and plans could look like.

Welcome to Season 4 of Work, Love, Pray! This season will feature inspirational stories and God moments from 4word women who are not afraid to be unstoppable for their Creator. Share in these conversations with women who have come up against obstacles and setbacks and have not only figured out how to overcome those things but have learned to be even stronger and more focused on their end goal of being unstoppable for Christ and the work that He has called us to do for His glory.  To kick off this year's conversations, host Jordan Johnstone spoke with Melissa Peak, Geographic Leader, AMERICAS GEO, Enterprise Skill Transformation at Amazon Web Services. Melissa has more than two decades of experience leading organizations to growth and customer success, while building an engaged workforce. Melissa discusses how the process of planning and strategizing for a brand new year can be a beneficial practice BUT is not without the possibility of running into some roadblocks. And some of those roadblocks might even come from the planner themselves.

After a little hiatus, Work, Love, Pray is returning on Wednesday, January 4, 2023!

Thank you for being a listener for three seasons! We hope you'll listen to our new podcast, Driven 4word, available on all major listening platforms.   

On this episode, Kim King, author of the book, When Women Give – The Adventure of a Generous Life, and former attorney and executive in the Law Department of Exxon Mobil Corporation, talks candidly about why she is so passionate about helping others learn how to live generously and why she believes God wants us to give to others.