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AJ Bruno, the CEO of $21M SaaS startup Quota Path, explains his company-wide experiment to make all of his employees vibe code. The results were shocking. Thanks for tuning in! Catch new episodes every Sunday. Don't miss GTM2025 — the only B2B tech conference exclusively for GTM executives. Use code TOPLINE for 10% off your GA ticket. Subscribe to Topline Newsletter. Tune into Topline Podcast, the #1 podcast for founders, operators, and investors in B2B tech. Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders to keep the conversation going beyond the podcast! Chapters: 00:00 The Future of AI in Startups 00:52 Introduction to Top Line 05:08 Vibe Coding Fridays Explained 13:32 The Impact of AI on Company Culture 29:57 The Role of Managers in Modern Companies 33:36 Challenging Traditional Management Practices 34:13 The Role of Senior Managers and Getting Hands Dirty 35:38 The Value of Middle Management 45:54 The Impact of AI on Management Roles 52:20 The Bubble of AI Revenue Reporting 1:00:58 Predictions for the Future of Labor
Mike Kelly, a veteran of senior leadership roles at Michelin and Macy's, now coaches business owners and managers through his advisory, Right Path Enterprises. His mission: to help leaders guide their organizations more effectively by first learning to lead themselves. Unlike many experts, Mike believes that genuine influence begins with leading yourself. Investing in personal growth pays dividends at work, at home, and in the community, he says. Mike is the author of Leaderfluence: Secrets of Leadership Essential to Effectively Leading Yourself and Positively Influencing Others. Among the topics Mike discusses on this week's episode are when to trust the data over your own instinct, how to keep top talent without paying more than you can afford, and why you should encourage your employees to take risks at work. Mike also outlines seven priorities that will enable leaders to look back with confidence, knowing they stayed aligned with what matters most to them. His approach delivers a double benefit: leaders grow as individuals while becoming more effective and inspiring managers. Monday Morning Radio is hosted by the father-son duo of Dean and Maxwell Rotbart. Photo: Mike Kelly, Right Path EnterprisesPosted: September 15, 2025 Monday Morning Run Time: 48:378 Episode: 14.15 POPULAR EPISODES: Authors Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley Offer 52 Ways to Bolster Employee Satisfaction and Productivity The Enduring Ability of “The Power of Habit” and “Smarter Faster Better” to Improve Your Life Bestselling Author Joanne Lipman Shares Her Formula for Professional and Personal Reinvention
Please excuse Mike this week, as he is dealing with some laryngitis and was on restricted duty during this episode. But Bill certainly stepped up as the pair celebrate the life and career of the great Davey Johnson to mark his passing at the age of 82. Johnson was a star as a player and a superstar as a manager, leading the Mets to their second championship in 1986 and adding significant value to basically every team he helmed. But he also had a pugnacious and self-destructive streak that seemed to undermine him everywhere he went even as he succeeded beyond all expectations. Plus, happy birthday to Mike Hampton! And farewell to Billy Hunter.
In this episode, Alli chats with elite executive coach and author of 'You're the Boss', Sabina Nawaz about turning high-pressure moments into leadership superpowers. We dig into the myths of “good vs. bad” bosses, why pressure (not power) corrupts behavior, how to build your “shut-up muscle,” and practical ways to get real feedback (even if you can't hire a coach).What you'll learn:-- Why the “good boss / bad boss” binary is a myth-- The #1 stated weakness of managers and how to fix it-- The two magic words to replace judgment with curiosity-- How to run brainstorms where your team actually speaks up-- DIY 360° feedback: a simple way to discover blind spots without a big budget-- “Yes, and…” as a management toolAbout our guest:Sabina Nawaz is an executive coach and global keynote speaker who works with leaders across Fortune 500s, government, nonprofits, and academia. Previously at Microsoft, she led executive development and succession planning for thousands of leaders.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
In this episode, the Lakeridge Health team reflects on their shift from DMS 1.0 to 2.0. Their first system was filled with activity, but huddles and routines often felt disconnected from real daily problems, and strategy came across as too top-down. With support from Value Capture's Didier Rabino, leaders stepped back to observe together, ask sharper questions, and uncover gaps. This created new habits that helped teams solve problems at the root cause, link daily work to strategy, and strengthen leadership development in the flow of work.What once were occasional offline conversations about improvement and growth became part of the daily rhythm. Managers quickly adapted, raising the level of dialogue and capability across the organization. While challenges remain, the team has embraced persistence and problem-solving as the path forward. Their journey shows how DMS 2.0 is creating stronger results, greater alignment, and a culture of continuous learning and improvement—momentum they're excited to share with peers at their October 15 learning event.
Jack Harris joins us ahead of the Dodgers' final game against Colorado on this short homestand. As a minor league team gets set to be managed by A.I. - the guys discuss why this tactic can never catch on in sports.
In this episode, Andrea Stokes, hospitality practice lead at J.D. Power, shares details on the company's newest report that found guests are satisfied with rooms and service, but are less happy with property maintenance and food and beverage concepts.
AI isn't your enemy. But the strategist who knows how to use it better than you? That's who you should be watching out for.AI is everywhere right now. From fear-mongering headlines to overhyped promises of million-dollar prompts, it's easy to feel like you're already behind.But here's the truth:AI won't replace you—unless you ignore it.In this episode of The Strategic Ad Manager's Guide to AI and Staying in Demand, I'm breaking down exactly how smart freelancers and ad managers are already using AI as their secret weapon—without losing their value or becoming robots.Let's dive into how to use AI without losing your edge.Topics Covered In This Episode:The three “camps” of opinions on AI – fear of replacement, overhyped promises, and total rejection.How ad managers can strategically use AI – especially in ways that enhance (not replace) their skills.AI for ad management tasks – copywriting, audience research, ad variations/testing, reporting/analytics, and client SOPs/systems.What AI should not be used for – strategic decisions (budget, funnel structure, messaging without context, creative direction without tone, sales calls, pitching value).The importance of human insight – understanding clients' real-life context, emotions, and unique business needs.AI as a tool to increase efficiency and profitability – helping ad managers scale without hiring large teams, while still relying on their own expertise and soft skills.Find the full show notes at: https://brandimowles.com/264 Want More Like This? ⬇️Click Here To Learn More About AI in Advertising: What Freelancers Need to Know for 2025Additional Resources:
Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture — brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network. Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, we're here to simplify the science of work. This week we're sharing part two of our conversation with Jon White and Nick Korte, hosts of the Nerd Journey podcast. If you missed part one, it's in our feed as episode 224. In that first half we explored the pressure on managers in flatter organisations. Today, we flip the lens: what it's like to be in the team, and how to thrive in uncertain times.
Managers are stretched thin, but remain the most powerful voice for employee trust. In this episode of ThinkCast, Gartner VP, Advisory Alexandra Earl introduces the 4 C's of Manager Communication Competencies: Championing, Coaching, Conversing and Connecting. From helping employees link strategy to daily work, to creating true two-way dialogue, Alexandra outlines a clear framework to elevate communication and improve team engagement. Tune in to discover: Why managers remain the most effective communication channel The 4 essential communication competencies every manager must build How contextualization helps employees see themselves in strategy Practical steps for self-assessment and peer support networks Dig deeper: Learn more about Gartner for Communications Leaders Benchmark yourself with the Gartner Communications Score Tool Become a client to try out AskGartner for more trusted insights
Looking for daily inspiration? Get a quote from the top leaders in the industry in your inbox every morning. What's the one premier event that brings the global attractions industry together? IAAPA Expo 2025, happening in Orlando, Florida, from November 17th through 21st. From breakthrough technology to world-class networking and immersive education, IAAPA Expo 2025 is where you find possible. And, just for our audience, you'll save $10 when you register at IAAPA.org/IAAPAExpo and use promo code EXPOAPROSTEN. Don't miss it — we won't! Coen Bertens is the owner of Coen Bertens Consultancy, where he partners with leisure and hospitality operators on operations, leadership, and guest experience. After beginning his career in banking, Coen joined Efteling in the Netherlands, where he moved from finance to operations, ultimately serving as director/CEO of the park. During his tenure, Efteling earned national recognition for guest friendliness and advanced a long-term, story-driven resort vision. In this interview, Coen talks about starting with people, shifting culture, and creating one fan a day. Starting with people “How you treat your people is how you treat your guests… you have to start with your people and change them into ambassadors.” Coen explains that Efteling's transformation didn't begin with guest-facing tactics—it began by equipping employees. Guided initially by advice from Lee Cockerell, the team built a “personal compass,” a single digital place where employees sought and shared feedback, identified talents, and aligned those talents to both personal growth and organizational contribution. Rather than pushing a hospitality script, leadership focused on pride, ownership, and talent development so that frontline teams would naturally deliver better experiences. That shift also meant moving decision-making closer to the work. Managers stopped “running and doing all the tasks,” and responsibilities—like resolving complaints on the spot—moved to the frontline. The results compounded: ideas surfaced faster, confidence grew, and service recovery became immediate instead of hierarchical. Shifting culture “We knew that if you want to be the most guest-friendly company… it's about changing the culture.” Culture change started with clarity of vision. A survey revealed that only a small slice of leaders could articulate Efteling's vision; nearly everyone else operated without clear goals. Coen's team distilled the vision into a simple, memorable “nine-plus organization”—akin to striving for a five-star standard—and recruited 50 internal ambassadors to spread it. Leaders repeated the vision constantly and connected it directly to tools like the personal compass so it lived in daily routines, not just on a wall. Empowerment mechanisms reinforced the shift. An Innovation Lab replaced the “idea box,” inviting students and staff to pitch solutions onstage to a centralized steering team. One standout idea—using VR to let guests with disabilities experience the Dreamflight dark ride alongside their families—came from a student, not management. Coen also shares a pivotal New Year's Eve story: when buses failed to arrive after midnight, employees self-organized to drive hundreds of guests home. That response—spontaneous, generous, and owned by the frontline—became a living metric of culture more powerful than any dashboard. Creating one fan a day “Keep it simple: create one fan per day… everyone has the time to create one fan per day.” A hospitality professor's advice became a durable operating principle: small, intentional moments scale culture. With ~800 employees a day, one fan per person translates into more than a million fan moments annually. Crucially, it's not about giveaways; it's about personal attention. In Efteling's Fairytale Forest, for example, an employee simply walks a parent and child to the restroom through winding paths, turning wayfinding into a warm, human interaction. Coen ties these moments to financial outcomes with a simple restaurant story: when service anticipates needs: right table, timely drinks, favorite refills, guests happily spend more and tip more. The message to teams is direct and doable: limit training topics, interact far more than you lecture, gamify learning, and repeat small behaviors daily until they become instinct. For inquiries and further information, connect with Coen on LinkedIn—he welcomes messages and is happy to share tips. This podcast wouldn't be possible without the incredible work of our faaaaaantastic team: Scheduling and correspondence by Kristen Karaliunas To connect with AttractionPros: AttractionPros.com AttractionPros@gmail.com AttractionPros on Facebook AttractionPros on LinkedIn AttractionPros on Instagram AttractionPros on Twitter (X)
Anika Singh Lemar, clinical professor of law at Yale University, joins the Business Scholarship Podcast to discuss her article Slum Managers. This episode is hosted by Andrew Jennings, associate professor of law at Emory University, and was edited by Alec Johnson, a law student at Emory University.
Lisa Foster is a business coach, speaker, and author of Bag Lady: How I Started a Business for a Greener World and Changed the Way America Shops. In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady talks with Lisa about her journey founding 1 Bag at a Time, Inc., one of the first reusable grocery bag companies in the U.S., and how she scaled it to sell millions of bags. Lisa shares insights on leadership, emotional intelligence, and building high-performing teams. She also previews her free one-hour training on one-on-one meetings and her upcoming six-week leadership series.To receive at 20% discount on Lisa's Leadership Essentials course starting September 24, 2025, sign up here!https://calendly.com/lisadfoster/leadership-essentials-group-coaching-series-cloneThanks to our sponsors: Cascade Environmental, E-Tank, and WASTELINQ.
In this episode, Sean Harvey, CRO at RocketRez, shares a practical framework for building coaching cultures that actually stick. He explains why trust, not tactics, is the starting point for real performance, and how coaching must move beyond pipeline reviews and into intentional skill development. From his early Oracle training to leading teams through hypergrowth and private equity scale-ups, Sean outlines the lessons that shaped his belief in coaching as both a performance lever and a retention strategy.If you're still coaching “on the fly” or stuck playing super-rep, this conversation will challenge your assumptions. Sean covers the link between psychological safety and rep engagement, how vulnerability-based trust unlocks real development, and why sustainable growth demands coaching at every level from C-suite to the frontlines. You'll walk away with a clearer understanding of what coaching is, what it's not, and how to build a team that stays, grows, and performs.Key Takeaways1. Coaching must start at the top to stick long-termIf the C-suite doesn't model and prioritize coaching, it gets deprioritized the moment short-term pressure hits.2. Trust is the foundation of any real coaching cultureReps won't grow unless they believe their manager has their long-term development, not just this quarter's numbers, in mind.3. Vulnerability-based trust drives engagement and learning.Creating psychologically safe spaces where reps can fail and learn openly is what unlocks real skill development.4. Great managers coach people, not just deals.Coaching isn't about saving deals; it's about building reps who can consistently win without constant intervention.5. Consistency matters more than intensity.A lightweight but regular coaching rhythm beats sporadic “inspiration bursts” that vanish under pressure.6. You can't scale if you're only hiring more reps.Scalability means increasing productivity per rep, which only happens when you build coaching into the operating system.7. Coaching drives retention, especially in high-talent environmentsReps stay where they feel invested in, especially when they're being challenged to grow with structure and support.8. Managers are overwhelmed and under-equipped to coachMost FLMs were promoted as top reps but were never taught how to develop others; tools and frameworks help close this gap.9. The best leaders have coaching “trees”Just like in sports, great coaches produce other great coaches; mentoring others to lead is a force multiplier.10. Success is compounding when coaching becomes cultureWhen coaching becomes normalized, teams get better, faster, improving not just results, but predictability.
Join Mike and Dave as they discuss a gap they see in all shops - issues with management.
Bienvenue sur Happy Work Express, le podcast quotidien qui vous livre des chiffres étonnants et des anecdotes sur le monde du travail en quelques minutes. Happy Work Express est une version quotidienne et plus courte de Happy Work, le podcast francophone audio le plus écouté sur le bien-être au travail et le management bienveillant.Que vous soyez salarié, manager ou à la tête d'une entreprise, Happy Work Express vous apporte chaque jour des informations pertinentes et surprenantes pour éclairer votre journée de travail.Chaque épisode vous offre un regard neuf sur des statistiques clés, des tendances actuelles et des faits insolites qui façonnent le monde professionnel. Être manager ou managé, ce n'est pas toujours simple... mais ces chiffres vous montreront que vous n'êtes pas seul.e.s.devenir un meilleur manager ou un meilleur managé... c'est parfois simple comme un chiffre ;-)Abonnez-vous dès maintenant et enrichissez votre quotidien avec Happy Work Express !Si vous êtes sur Apple Podcast... n'oubliez surtout pas de mettre une étoile à Happy Work #management #carrière Soutenez ce podcast http://supporter.acast.com/happy-work. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.
Réserve ta place pour ma masterclass offerte "Les 4 obstacles qui t'empêchent d'avoir la reconnaissance que tu mérites"
This episode of the Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast sponsored by Bearing Advisors, Jim Hunt interviews Alicia McKay about local government from down under. 7 Steps to an Amazing City: Attitude Motivation Attention to Detail Zing Inclusiveness Neighborhood Empowerment Green Awareness Thanks for listening and look forward to having you join us for the next episode. Links Mentions During Show: https://www.aliciamckay.co.nz/ · www.AmazingCities.org · www.AmazingCities.org/podcast to be a guest on the podcast About Alicia McKay I help people make smarter decisions, focus on what matters, and confidently work with change. I'm an author, speaker, strategist, consultant and entrepreneur. I've worked on strategy, change, and leadership with 120+ organisations, from tiny charities and rural Councils to global corporations and federal agencies and I've helped thousands of leaders make better decisions and get better outcomes. My strategy models and decision frameworks are used worldwide to drive alignment and performance. I have spent my career - and life - studying, practising, designing, facilitating, and implementing strategy. I have only become more enamoured of its transformative potential with time. Strategy is a levelling force, an asset to the underdog. Anyone with big aspirations and limited resources should be a strategist. I bring a plain-talking, no-nonsense approach to strategy backed by years of experience, deep expertise, and genuine care. I'm not here to overcomplicate things but to help you create real change. About Your Host, Jim Hunt: Welcome to the “Building Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast” … The podcast for Mayors, Council Members, Managers, Staff and anyone who is interested in building an Amazing City. Your host is Jim Hunt, the author of “Bottom Line Green, How American Cities are Saving the Planet and Money Too” and his latest book, “The Amazing City - 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City” Jim is also the former President of the National League of Cities, 27 year Mayor, Council Member and 2006 Municipal Leader of the Year by American City and County Magazine. Today, Jim speaks to 1000's of local government officials each year in the US and abroad. Jim also consults with businesses that are bringing technology and innovation to local government. Amazing City Resources: Buy Jim's Popular Books: · The Entrepreneurial City: Building Smarter Governments through Entrepreneurial Thinking: https://www.amazingcities.org/copy-of-the-amazing-city · The Amazing City: 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City: https://www.amazingcities.org/product-page/the-amazing-city-7-steps-to-creating-an-amazing-city · Bottom Line Green: How America's Cities and Saving the Planet (And Money Too) https://www.amazingcities.org/product-page/bottom-line-green-how-america-s-cities-are-saving-the-planet-and-money-too FREE White Paper: · “10 Steps to Revitalize Your Downtown” www.AmazingCities.org/10-Steps Hire Jim to Speak at Your Next Event: · Tell us about your event and see if dates are available at www.AmazingCities.org/Speaking Hire Jim to Consult with Your City or Town: · Discover more details at https://www.amazingcities.org/consulting Discuss Your Business Opportunity/Product to Help Amazing Cities: · Complete the form at https://www.amazingcities.org/business-development A Special Thanks to Bearing Advisors for the support of this podcast: www.BearingAdvisors.Net
Join us as we talk to Krish Ramineni, the Co-founder and CEO of Fireflies about their story.Krish Ramineni is the co-founder & CEO of Fireflies.ai and one of the youngest product managers in Microsoft's history.Before Fireflies, Krish built his career in product at Microsoft, then left to pursue the idea of turning conversations into knowledge. He's a founder who embodies “doing things that don't scale” even manually taking notes before building an AI to do it better.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Ian Mann about supportive leadership, Advaita Naidoo about the difference between leaders and managers, Desiree Markgraaff about her journey in African storytelling through film and television, and Chantal Marx and Francois Olivier about hedge fund allocations in investment portfolios. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape. Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa Follow us on social media 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Ian Mann about supportive leadership, Advaita Naidoo about the difference between leaders and managers, Desiree Markgraaff about her journey in African storytelling through film and television, and Chantal Marx and Francois Olivier about hedge fund allocations in investment portfolios. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape. Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa Follow us on social media 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Reformed Brotherhood | Sound Doctrine, Systematic Theology, and Brotherly Love
n this solo episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse Schwamb dives into a theological exploration of work as an extension of Christian calling that extends far beyond paid employment. Building upon their previous discussion about vocational choices for Christians, Jesse addresses the question: "Does a Christian's work ever cease?" Through careful examination of Ephesians 2:8-10 and other passages, he argues that while the nature of our work may change through different seasons of life—including retirement, caregiving, or illness—God has prepared good works for believers to walk in throughout their entire earthly journey. The episode offers both theological foundations and practical guidance on how Christians can approach all forms of labor as worship, finding purpose and meaning in every season of life. Key Takeaways Good works are not the basis of salvation but its goal—Christians are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), not by works, yet they are saved for good works that God has prepared in advance (Ephesians 2:10). The Christian's work never ceases but changes form—Whether in paid employment, retirement, caregiving, or even during illness, God has prepared meaningful work for believers in every season of life. All work has spiritual value when done unto the Lord—The Reformed tradition elevates all forms of work, not just paid employment, as having potential to glorify God. Prayer is a significant and valuable form of work—Even those who cannot engage in physical labor can participate in the vital spiritual work of intercessory prayer. Good works offer multiple benefits to believers—According to the Westminster Confession, good works manifest gratitude to God, bolster assurance of faith, encourage other Christians, adorn Christian doctrine, silence critics, and glorify God. Christian workers should be distinctively different—Believers can stand out in the workplace by being fair and committed, genuinely caring for others, demonstrating generosity, remaining calm under pressure, and being authentic about their faith. Finding our identity in Christ transforms our approach to work—When we place our ultimate treasure in heaven rather than earthly gain, we can approach our labors with greater peace, purpose, and freedom from anxiety. Elaboration on Key Points The Christian's Work Never Ceases but Changes Form Jesse challenges the modern Western notion that work is merely a season of life that eventually ends with retirement. Instead, he presents a more ancient and biblical perspective: that work never ceases but merely takes different forms throughout our lives. Using Paul's metaphor of "walking" in the good works God has prepared (Ephesians 2:10), Jesse explains that our journey continues throughout life, with the landscape changing as we move through different seasons. Whether we're in paid employment, caring for loved ones, serving in retirement, or confined to a bed during illness, God has prepared meaningful work for us to do. Even those who are physically limited can engage in the vital work of intercessory prayer, which Jesse describes as "the kind of work that is so glorious... that while it exhausts us, it exhausts us in a way that brings us the greatest kind of sleep or refreshment." This perspective eliminates the anxiety many Christians feel about the purpose of their later years and affirms the ongoing value of their contributions to God's kingdom regardless of their physical capacity or economic productivity. Good Works Offer Multiple Benefits to Believers Drawing from the Westminster Confession of Faith, Jesse outlines six significant benefits of good works in the Christian life. First, good works manifest our gratitude to God for the gift of His Son—they become tangible expressions of thankfulness for salvation. Second, they bolster assurance of faith by providing evidence of God's work in our lives. Third, good works encourage other Christians toward greater acts of Christ-centered love, as we witness the transforming power of the gospel in one another. Fourth, they adorn the doctrine of God our Savior, making abstract theological truths visible and attractive to others. Fifth, good works silence critics who devalue biblical Christianity by demonstrating its positive impact. Finally, they glorify God by displaying His transformative work of love in our lives. These benefits apply to all forms of work—paid or unpaid—and give eternal significance to even the most mundane tasks when done unto the Lord. As Jesse emphasizes, "There are no mundane things. There are no small works... There are just these small things that come alongside with the great work that God has done already in our lives." Memorable Quotes "Good works aren't bad when they're seen as the goal of salvation, not its ground. The goal, because it's worthwhile to want to worship God and to obey him by doing good works." "Keep walking on that journey knowing that God all along the way has already prepared good works for you to do because he loves you and because this is our opportunity to worship him together in everything that we do." "When we are performing this work for God, he assures our faith. He refreshes us in it. He exhausts us in the best possible way so that we might love him more, cherish him more, encourage one another more, and really come to understand his character more forthrightly." Full Transcript [00:00:08] Jesse Schwamb: Keep walking on that journey knowing that God all along the way has already prepared good works for you to do because he loves you and because this is our opportunity to worship him together and everything that we do. [00:00:32] Jesse Schwamb: Welcome to episode 459 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse, and this is the podcast where the tulip never wilts. Hey, brothers and sisters. [00:00:48] Recap of Previous Episode [00:00:48] Jesse Schwamb: So in this episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, this solo episode, I'm gonna wrap up a conversation that Tony and I just had in the last episode and set us up, wet Your Appetite for a whole brand new series. [00:01:03] Jesse Schwamb: That's gonna be starting in the next episode. So you find yourself bookended by two really great things. One, a great conversation we just had about the Christian and work. Are there jobs that really Christians shouldn't have? Because it takes us away from what it means to serve the Lord vocationally, as strange as that sounds. [00:01:22] Jesse Schwamb: So if you didn't hear that, you're gonna wanna go check that out before you listen to me, wrap all of us up right now. In fact, here's what you should do. Stop everything you're doing, unless it's operating a vehicle or a backhoe. Power those things down. Get off the side of the road, then go to reformed brotherhood.com and you can find all of the episodes living out there that we've ever recorded, including the one from last week, and I believe will be greatly blessed by hanging out with some of those conversations. [00:01:49] Jesse Schwamb: So go and do that first. [00:01:51] The Christian's Work and Retirement [00:01:51] Jesse Schwamb: On this episode, I'm gonna talk a little bit as a follow up about. Does the Christian's work ever cease? Is there a time, because we just spoke about vocational work and work for which we're remunerated, where once that goes away, what happens next? Is it a different kind of work? [00:02:07] Jesse Schwamb: Is it no work? Should we be the kind of people that are trying to pursue an end to that remunerated work as quick as possible? Is that okay? What happens if we can't be compensated for our work anymore? What happens? We're gonna reason from the scriptures a little bit more about work, our calling and all of that by way of vocation. [00:02:26] Jesse Schwamb: And part of this conversation has actually come from a larger conversation. So one of the greatest and best things about this podcast, something I wanna boast in right now, because it has nothing to do with Tony or me, and that is. There are lots of people listening, brothers and sisters from all over the world who gathered together and debrief. [00:02:47] Jesse Schwamb: Talk about the episodes, hang out and talk about life, share funny stories, share prayer requests, support one another. And you can do that by joining our little group on a messaging app called Telegram. So in fact, here's the second thing you should do. If you go to T Me Reform Brotherhood one more time, T Me Back slash Reform Brotherhood, slap that bad boy in your favorite browser, and that'll give you a link to our little corner of this messaging app. [00:03:13] Jesse Schwamb: And there's a channel within that app just to talk about. The various episodes as a way of interacting with all of us, and as a result of the episode that we recorded last about this idea of vocational work and calling, how does that all come together? Brother Joshua posed an excellent question, which is in part the reason for the conversation I'm about to have with you all, and that is what happens. [00:03:33] Jesse Schwamb: When we retire, or what happens when we desire to set aside sufficient resources if we can, so that we can get to that place as soon as possible. What then what about work or what if we have to care for a sick, sick, loved one? Or what if we have to come and take responsibility for our family in a different or unique way that takes us away from work where we're not being paid for things in the same way anymore? [00:03:52] Jesse Schwamb: What happens then? So we are going to get to all of that on this little brief little episode that's gonna sit in between the end of our conversation on work and the beginning of our brand new series, which, you know, you want me to tell you what it is, but I'm not gonna do it. It's just not gonna happen on this episode. [00:04:09] Jesse Schwamb: So you're just gonna have to sit in that anticipation waiting. Waiting for it to come next week, but for now, let's talk a little bit more about work. [00:04:17] Good Works and Salvation [00:04:17] Jesse Schwamb: And let me start with a, a phrase that's like so obvious, but you can say it with me if you want, because we have to agree on this. At least that good works aren't bad. [00:04:27] Jesse Schwamb: I mean, good works aren't bad. They're good. By definition it seems like self-reinforcing. And as Christians, we should want to do those good works. Now, I haven't said what the good works are, haven't even explained really. Although we, Tony and I talked about this before, how they really fit into that pattern and that normative behavior of the Christian life. [00:04:44] Jesse Schwamb: But can we just agree that if the Bible is saying there are good works for us to do, then they must be good. And they must be there for a purpose. They must be there for a reason and we can't debate that. Just because we're not saved according to our works doesn't mean that we shouldn't be concerned about pursuing a life of joyful obedience to God's word. [00:05:01] Jesse Schwamb: I mean, this is why Jesus like emphatically states in the gospel. If you love me, you'll keep my commandments in obedience. However frail it is. However much we stumble, however feeble we are in actually executing it is our evidence. Our love for God and for his son Jesus Christ. So far from undermining the gospel of grace, good works are the perfect compliment to the gospel, and this is why good works are good. [00:05:29] Jesse Schwamb: So to be clear, good works are bad when they're seen as the basis of salvation. And I think if you've been with us for any length of time or you're familiar with the reform. Theological movement. If you've been steeped in the scriptures, you're gonna find that kind of compulsion, that pull that says like, well, I understand that when I use my good works as a means of somehow Meritoriously earning my salvation, they cease to be good. [00:05:54] Jesse Schwamb: This is why, of course, Jonathan Edwards called Good works of this nature, only glittering sin because they're, they have no power to redeem. They have no power to save. They have no power to. Transition yourself into some kind of a righteous sense or rubric. It's impossible. They will not do that. They do not serve that purpose. [00:06:12] Jesse Schwamb: A person is not saved by works, but by God's grace through faith in Christ. [00:06:17] The Role of Good Works in Christian Life [00:06:17] Jesse Schwamb: So this is the time where we have to love ones. Go to Ephesians chapter two. It's impossible for me to continue without at least sharing this good news. If you need to hear this again, and this may be a well rehearsed verse or a well rehearsed writing from the Apostle Paul to you, but I ask that you hear it again. [00:06:32] Jesse Schwamb: If you can with these ears that are unstopped, that are almost fresh with excitement for this really good news, this is what Paul writes to the church and Ephesus for. By grace, you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not as a result of works so that no one may boast. [00:06:51] Jesse Schwamb: For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. I mean, there's so much there that is. Lovely and refreshing. And freeing. It's not works righteousness, it's not meritorious. Salvation is clearly not of our own doing. It's not the result of these works, even the faith through which we receive salvation is a gracious, gracious gift from God. [00:07:21] Jesse Schwamb: So what a just burden taken off of our shoulders. The mantle has been removed from us. To somehow even equate or think that, well, if I have a good day and I've done a lot for God, he must love me more. I must be more ingratiated towards him, even if I have the sense that. I feel closer to him. Hopefully that closeness is the sense of joy and obedience. [00:07:40] Jesse Schwamb: And now where we get the sense that, well, because I've done something for God, he ought to do something for me or me more favorably disposed towards me. All of that is nonsense and that way just. Total foolishness and madness lies. Instead, when we turn that into our rejoicing first for the faith itself by which we receive from God, that grants us access to this great salvation. [00:08:02] Jesse Schwamb: When we see that as a gift first, then all of this other mongering for responsibility and trying to placate through the things that we can do and having this sense of guilt in our minds about what we should have done or what we did not accomplish, or even if in our own obedience toward Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we've fallen short. [00:08:20] Jesse Schwamb: We can still find there is this gift for us and the gift of salvation is ours in Christ through faith, not by works. It's very, very clear in what Paul writes to the church here as fallen creatures, even our best efforts are completely laced with sin. This also is, by the way, a really great kindness of God that we can never really be contrite enough in our coming before him and, and even in our humility, we probably can never be humble enough. [00:08:47] Jesse Schwamb: So the fact that God accepts because of Christ us into the family of God without having to put upon us this burden that you must be sorry enough for your sin, or you're not repentant enough, you haven't expressed the severe and necessary amount of contrition to really placate and understand that you have cosmically committed treason against the all powerful God of the universe. [00:09:13] Jesse Schwamb: Who could stand underneath that kind of weight. And the answer is no one, but by the grace of God through Jesus. So it's amazing. That when we start to think about work, what we find is that God is first doing all of the work in us, and we see that the first work is not our work, but his work, the secondary work, this means of obedience, of showing, our gratitude of expressing praise and worship. [00:09:37] Jesse Schwamb: Must, I think, necessarily be manifest in work that is labor of some kind, because God has first expressed himself in that kind of labor. And second, he's given it to us to do as an experience into his very being and his character, but also in service to him and to those who are around us. I promise I'm getting to all of this good stuff about what does this practically mean, but all this I think is so necessary for us. [00:10:02] Jesse Schwamb: To really set the proper understanding for what it means to have good work to do and to do this work. So these good works provide no basis for boasting because they're utterly worthless to save. They have worth in other ways, but it just turns out they're worthless In this way. It's a bit like if you take your, take your, whatever your domestic currency is, whatever the currency you, you transact in, I live and hang out in the United States, so my currency is the US dollar. [00:10:24] Jesse Schwamb: If I take a bunch of dollars with me and I go travel almost anywhere else in the world. There's a small chance they'll be accepted. And I realize I've picked the wrong currency for this metaphor at this point, but if I let, let's say, let's just pick a different one. Let's say that you live in Zimbabwe or you just happen to have a bunch of Zimbabwean dollars hanging out in your pocket. [00:10:42] Jesse Schwamb: I'm sure some of you do, and you take that currency and you come to the United States and you wanna go buy something, those dollars will not work. They just won't work. Nobody will accept them. They're worthless. They're without value. Now, do they have value? In a certain sense, of course they do. In that domestic currency, in that homeland they do. [00:10:59] Jesse Schwamb: And in the same way, though, of course, slightly different here, our works are these expression of. Obedience of love for God. But the minute we try to exchange them for salvation, what we're gonna find is God says that's worthless here. And it again, is a fool's errand to build your entire life on some kinda system or belief that says, what I'm doing is earning these dollars, making these good works, performing these things. [00:11:22] Jesse Schwamb: So I'll have gathered to myself all of this currency, which I'm then going to use to buy my salvation now, I think even in my own ears, that sounds ridiculous to say, and yet so many of us. Get caught up in that. And if we don't get caught up in whole, we sometimes get caught up in it peace wise, because again, we have a sense that, well, if I've been a particularly good Christian today, doesn't that mean that God is more happy with me? [00:11:45] Jesse Schwamb: And Paul says, no, you have been saved as a gift of God. It is his gracious act that through faith you have been given salvation, and that faith was not of your own. That itself as well was a gift. It's gift upon gift upon gift. And so even the work itself is shaped. By the sense that all that God gives us and him doing all the verbs is his gifting. [00:12:09] Jesse Schwamb: So good works are gonna provide no basis for boasting because they are worthless to save. And the only foundation for salvation is Christ, we're saved by his works, not ours. If you're looking for that good, that first, that perfect work, the thing that you could latch onto, the thing that you would say this, I'm gonna hang my hat. [00:12:27] Jesse Schwamb: And all of my life on the work that you're looking for is not the one that you can accomplish. It is the one that Jesus has already done on your behalf. So that's why I always think when I see those W wait, they're not as prevalent anymore I suppose. But do you remember a time loved ones when like the ubiquity of the WAJD bracelet and I always thought about the question, what would Jesus do? [00:12:49] Jesse Schwamb: And to me, the answer I give now somewhat tongue in cheek is everything and it's already been done. And so that is really the promise. The great blessing of the gospel that now we are saved for works and boy does that preposition make a difference. Like we should be underlining that, like putting that gilded gold in our Bibles like we are saved now for God works good, works are not bad then when they're seen as the goal of salvation, not its ground. [00:13:14] Jesse Schwamb: I wanna say that again because I think that might sound a little bit funny to some, but I've long really come to cherish this idea that it is the goal but not the ground. The goal, because it's worthwhile to want to worship God. And to obey him by doing good works. And Paul gives us an avenue in which to travel and to understand this and to reason it from the scripture so that we can be confident that that's exactly what God intends for us. [00:13:37] Jesse Schwamb: And so again, while these good works aren't meritorious salvation, they are a necessary component of Christian faith. And the first important thing that we ought to mention here. Is that when we think about work, it's not that like the reform tradition, that that theological perspective has somehow elevated work for remuneration. [00:13:55] Jesse Schwamb: I, I don't think that entirely was the whole emphasis of talking about vocation in that kind of theological sphere. That is, we have a bunch of Christians and they have to do work to survive, and some of them are cobblers and of them are cooks and some of them are cleaners. And so what we really need to do here is make sure that people understand that whatever you're getting paid for God has made you to do. [00:14:15] Jesse Schwamb: And that is not a great thing. That's all true, but the goal wasn't just to elevate that style or type of work that is the work for which you get compensated. It was to elevate all work, all work of every kind, all labor of every kind, because God is big enough that every bit of labor paid or unpaid in direct service for somebody. [00:14:34] Jesse Schwamb: Fortunately, there is no compensation or in service to someone for which there is that all of that work. It does give God glory if we mean it to. And so this is why they do all things. Whatever you do, whether you eat or whether you drink, all of even these tiny things roll up into this argument from the lesser to the greater all of work is for God's glory. [00:14:53] Jesse Schwamb: And so to tip my hat a little bit here, then I think an answer to, to Brother Joshua's question, and in a nice compliment to what Tony and I were talking about last week, there is no end to the Christian's work. There's just different types of work. Oh, we'll get to that. I'm a little bit ahead of myself here. [00:15:08] Jesse Schwamb: But of course we find in Ephesians two, it's important to understand this because there's so much of the dynamic of good works in the Christian life that are being explained there. And of course we learn that good works are the result and not the cause of being new creations, and they're testifying to the fact that we have been redeemed. [00:15:24] Jesse Schwamb: So our lives might reflect craftsmanship and character of God. So amazing, isn't it? That God has given work, that work is not a four letter word, that labor is good labor of all kinds. Is good because it's reflecting the craftsmanship in character of God in unique ways. That is like apart from doing work from this work which God has called us to, from traveling in it through our lives and participating in all kinds of different work, that there's something that would be missing in our exemplifying, the craftsmanship in character of God. [00:15:56] Jesse Schwamb: And so we see that apart from Christ. We can do nothing that pleases God, but in Christ. And here's a great promise. We are created to perform God honoring acts of obedience in Christ. We can be confident that God accepts our weak and wobbly efforts. You know, Paul further goes on to talk about good works, a result of God's pattern for the Christian life. [00:16:15] Jesse Schwamb: We don't need to wonder what God requires from us. He's told us in his word, good works are deeds done in conformity to God's word. Now the beauty of that is. That we have this pattern for the Christian life in which Paul is saying, and I think this is really helpful for our conversation, that all of the things that God has given us to do, he's already prepared. [00:16:39] Jesse Schwamb: He's already me and plus it. He's already set the table for us. He's already put all the things in place. He's already organized all the details. And he says that because he's done that we are now free to walk in them. And I interpret that walk as this idea, which I think is very particular to the way that Paul is writing here. [00:16:57] Jesse Schwamb: It's a word of encouragement that is speaking of more of a marathon and rather a sprint. So of course, like a lot of times in the West, we think of our work as a season of life in which we're doing something in service for a company and for others, creating value, which is good. All of these things can be in service to God, of course, especially when they're in honoring. [00:17:15] Jesse Schwamb: With a full counsel of the scriptures and that when we do those things, that time will end and then we start to think about what work do have left. Whereas really, of course, a more ancient way of thinking about work was that it never ceased. It was of different kinds, and we know it was of different kinds because of this idea of walking that is like you never says stop the walk. [00:17:32] Jesse Schwamb: It never says take a break. It says you're gonna continue throughout your life in this metaphor of. Your journey of life being a walk, and as that walk changes, as the landscape undulates, as you move and transverse over different geographies on this walk in this metaphor, there's no doubt that the work will be different. [00:17:50] Jesse Schwamb: And there may be a season when you no longer have to work and be compensated, but it doesn't mean, of course, that the work ends. In fact, the work is still there. It's a different kind. And we don't want it to go away, in fact, and we don't want it to feel, uh, like it should be a, a lesser thing because it's not because we've been given in this verse the sense that this is the pattern that's been given to us. [00:18:12] Jesse Schwamb: It's the value of walking the pathway of obedience. And Paul makes it manifold. In fact, the Westminster Confession of Faith, which I'm 17 minutes in and you can mark your clock. That's the first time I mentioned it. I've gotten there already. Loved ones. Don't worry, we're always gonna bring in a confession. [00:18:27] Encouragement and Assurance Through Good Works [00:18:27] Jesse Schwamb: And on this week, it's the confession of faith from the Westminster states that there are at least six benefits of good work. So here these out, this is just my quick rundown of what the Westminster puts forward thinking about these good works and when you hear these benefits. Think about them in the broadest way. [00:18:41] Jesse Schwamb: That is like, think about how these benefits apply to all kinds of work, not just like your nine to five, but like of course your family society and the church and your work there is needed both because it is an exemplification of obedience to Christ, but also because it is accomplishing good and creating value. [00:18:58] Jesse Schwamb: So the first is that good works manifest our gratitude to God for the gift of his son. Now think about this. If that's true, that this in a concrete way. No matter what, we're able to do that we, if we're doing these good works, we're showing gratitude to God. Why would we ever want those good works to go away? [00:19:14] Jesse Schwamb: Why do we wanna break that pattern? We don't want to. And again, this gives a, a high level, a high calling to all the things that we can do, both like again, in our paid work and then thereafter. Or even if we, we never have paid work that all of these things, there's something for us to do here and it manifests our gratitude to God and the gift of his son. [00:19:32] Jesse Schwamb: The second thing is good work's, bolster assurances of faith. So it is the Christian who in obedience to Christ has a compulsion is as Paul would say elsewhere, hemmed in by the love of God to work towards a specific end in love and service toward others. That is a good work. And when we're doing that good work, there's a mutual kind of reinforcement that occurs that as we humble ourselves before God and that we work to. [00:19:57] Jesse Schwamb: Or to obey him and that we walk in the good works that he has prepared for us, that we find that we are sure that God is who he is, that his character and craftsmanship is, is in fact manifest in us and demonstrated by us. And in this way as we worship him, we find that our faith grows. Especially perhaps when we're called to do things that are difficult or we're called to participate in work, especially in the church, that requires some kind of leap of faith and we're in so doing where we must trust God forthrightly. [00:20:27] Jesse Schwamb: We find that doing those good works bolster our assurance of faith. Number three. Good works are a means of encouraging other Christians toward greater acts of Christ-centered love. There's so much in Hebrews chapter 10 that we could talk about there. This is an incredible idea that when we work towards obeying God laboring on his behalf in all of the spheres of life, to which he has given us to participate in that Christians receive this as a. [00:20:55] Jesse Schwamb: Form of encouragement. You know, think about how you've seen the testifying work of somebody else in your church, in their patience, in their kind behavior. You know, we often speak about a person who is graceful, and by that of course, we mean there's a beauty to their outer movement, as it were. That's maybe they're a graceful dancer. [00:21:11] Jesse Schwamb: Maybe they're a grace or a baseball player, but you'll find that you can apply this word in so many ways whenever you are trying to really show that somebody in their outward movements does things particularly well, or just with ease or in a way that conveys a certain kind of beauty. When we say that somebody is gracious, what we essentially mean is that there's a beauty to their inner movement that is, that the exemplification of who they are in Christ is so firmly rooted in solid, that the way they behave in situations and circumstances clearly shows. [00:21:43] Jesse Schwamb: That there's something different about the way that they process the world and in the way that they work. And when we see that we are prone to be encouraged to see that God is real, that he does intervene and interact in situations that he does, in fact still do the most miraculous thing ever, which is take the sinner, take the gospel abuser, take the unregenerate, and perform that surgical movement. [00:22:05] Jesse Schwamb: Where that heart of stone is replaced with one of flesh, it's the greatest miracle in the entire universe. And so when we're seeing that work exemplified, we're allowing ourselves to participate in encouraging our brothers and sisters. Fourth good works are concrete avenues for adorning the doctrine of God, our savior in life, in ministry. [00:22:25] Jesse Schwamb: So again, it's uniting this idea of who we are, that we say we are, who we are in our transformation regeneration, marrying that up with work. And this is, again, why a. All of this reform of theology elevates work to this place of saying, whatever you do, you can do it to the glory of God and you ought to, you ought to be thinking that way because this is the way God intended all the things that we do to be done. [00:22:47] Jesse Schwamb: So idea of like when Paul says, like, pray without ceasing, be constantly in the Lord. I think in some ways what he's saying is. When you shift your mindset to recognize that there are no mundane things to do because God has prepared all those things ahead of time, they're, they're mundane, maybe in their smallness, in our own like really myopic kind of human natural man perspective. [00:23:06] Jesse Schwamb: They are certainly not mundane with respect to the power of love that may be communicated in them with the encouragement that flows out of them, and with the expression of gratitude for God, our savior and his son. All of those things are high and lifted up worthy of exaltation and call worthy of all of our efforts. [00:23:23] Jesse Schwamb: And so there we find that there are really no mundane things. There are no small works as it were. There are just these small things that come alongside with the great work that God has done already in our lives and our expression of that first work that he has done. So Fifth Good Works, silence critics who devalue the goodness of biblical Christianity. [00:23:43] Jesse Schwamb: You know, there's a lot here that we could talk about. Jesus was so outspoken about what it meant for his followers to adorn themselves to be in Christ, and in so doing, they were gonna be these lights set on a, like a city on a hill for all to see. And sometimes as Christians, we get a little, eh, strange about this kind of thing, don't we? [00:24:01] Jesse Schwamb: Because we, we wanna be careful that we need to be humble. You know, we, we want to make sure that as we're serving God, that we are not boasting in that in any kind of way, and yet there is something here where we ought to be giving and testifying to why we do certain things. I've been thinking about this a lot because I think it's one thing for us to say, well, we wanna live in such a manner. [00:24:21] Jesse Schwamb: We wanna do our work in such a manner, whatever that is, so others know there's something different and, and this is noble and honorable. I think what's even better is to let them know why it's different. Sometimes you shouldn't wait for somebody to ask. You know, if it's clear that you're doing something and you wanna express why we're doing it, say, I'm, I'm doing this 'cause Jesus loves me, he's changed me, and Jesus loves you. [00:24:39] Jesse Schwamb: I mean, this is okay to say loved ones. And I think in doing that, making that connection clear, what it's gonna do is it's going to make sure that those who would say like the, the Bible is antiquated out wounded document. It's a document that's filled with strife. It's a document that pits won't people against one another. [00:24:54] Jesse Schwamb: It's a document that is not progressive enough. What they'll find instead is. When our good works, our truly good works are accompanied by a verbal testimony of why we do these works in obedience to God for, because of his great love for us. It will discredit those who would say all of those things. It turns away a. [00:25:14] Jesse Schwamb: All of the critics would say that the Bible is, is not relevant, that Christians are too, uh, bigoted, that we are the kind of people that are too hypocritical. Instead, when we acknowledge that we are far from perfect, but that we have a perfect savior when we talk about our weak faith, but that our, the faith that we have is not in its size, but in the size of the savior. [00:25:34] Jesse Schwamb: When we can say all these things alongside of our efforts to be obedient. Being humble, asking for forgiveness, seeking repentance from those whom we hurt, that in this way, we are again doing all of the things that are the theology of the cross, that even in our small weaknesses, even in our great failures, what we find is God does more than just to fill in the gaps He overflows with through the power of His Holy Spirit into a powerful testimony into the lives of others with whom we interact, and especially in the things that we do. [00:26:05] Jesse Schwamb: So six. And lastly, this is from the Westminster. These benefits of good works. Last Good works glorify God by displaying his work of love in our lives. I think we often forget about this. That God has given us work because he loves us. Of course, God is always working. There's something beautiful about the fact that God is ever present in our lives working in our hearts. [00:26:29] Jesse Schwamb: And sometimes of course, as the, the older reformers have said, he lays us over the Anil, as it were, and he hammers on us, and those are painful times. And other times he's really polishing up our sharp edges or sanding off those places where we need a little bit of attention. But everywhere he's working in us and what a blessing that he never stops, isn't it that he comes to us constantly because he loves us. [00:26:51] Jesse Schwamb: He refuses to leave us in a state that is less than the abundant life. Now we know that we will never accomplish that, this side of glory. But what a benefit that God never gives up on us. That he continues to show his great love for us in how he attentively comes into our lives to hone us in this progressive sanctification, whereby his work doesn't stop. [00:27:13] The Unending Nature of Work [00:27:13] Jesse Schwamb: And so because his work doesn't stop. Neither does ours. So the beauty of this is for anybody else, for us, for brother Joshua, for those who are thinking about, you know, what if I, I want to maybe try to set aside more resources now so I can stop my work of re of compensation to do other things, I would say. [00:27:31] Jesse Schwamb: Well, Godspeed by, by the power of God, I, I hope that happens for you. And what about those who would say, well, my work is gonna have to be caring for a loved one who's ill? I would say that is great and good work. What about those for who are retiring now or thinking about retirement? What's left? Tons. Of good work. [00:27:48] Jesse Schwamb: I think we know this. Now, what about for those who are in the final stages of their life, those who are not ambulatory, maybe those who are weak, maybe those who are ill themselves. There is still good work because the work that God gives us is not the heavy kind that causes our bodies or our minds to be crushed in despair, to have to till the ground as it were in such a way that it leaves us lacking replenishment instead, even for those. [00:28:16] Jesse Schwamb: Who are saying, what is my place when my body is wasting away? [00:28:21] The Value of Prayer in Our Work [00:28:21] Jesse Schwamb: When I'm having a, a season of sickness and I feel like there's nothing I can do, there is so much that the church needs from you in particular, especially your work in prayer. And again, I think we've been outspoken. Prayer is absolutely a work. [00:28:34] Jesse Schwamb: If you don't believe me, just. Try to pray. So just being able to participate in something like that, which is in many ways maybe the greatest calling. I, I always think about this phrase, when we work, we work, when we pray, God works. And so just the act of saying I'm gonna devote myself in prayer, in intercessory prayer for my church, for my community, for my family, is a kind of work that is unparalleled. [00:28:58] Jesse Schwamb: And so if that's the work that God has given you to walk in right now. Then would you please do it? Because it is the season to which he's called you because he's with you on that journey. And Paul says, wherever you go, wherever you are walking, God has already prepared before you get to the next stop sign, before you get to the next wave point, before you get to the next pin drop. [00:29:17] Jesse Schwamb: God has already prepared for you good works, and you're mealing to walk in them. [00:29:22] Finding Joy and Refreshment in Labor [00:29:22] Jesse Schwamb: And so the work of prayer by itself is the kind of work that is so glorious, like all the work of Christ that we find refreshment and it changes. There's a theme here, like all of our work changes because when we are doing it onto the Lord, we're doing it with him in mind when we're understanding that this is our obligation, but also our greatest privilege, that while it exhausts us. [00:29:41] Jesse Schwamb: It exhausts us in a way that brings us the greatest kind of sleep or refreshment. Does that make sense? We ever had like a really great day at work where, you know, I, I worked hard and I did work worth doing, and in that I felt that there was a sweetness. In fact, Ecclesiastes five 12 says, sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich man will not let him sleep. [00:30:05] Jesse Schwamb: This idea that. Why as we work, as we labor for God, that he does restore us, he gives us joy and satisfaction in that work. And again, there's this, all this mutual reinforcement, this kind of self-fulfilling and reinforcing idea that. When we are performing this work for God, he assures our faith. He refreshes us in it. [00:30:24] Jesse Schwamb: He exhausts us in the best possible way so that we might love him more, cherish him more, encourage one another more, and to really come and understand his character more forthrightly. [00:30:34] Living Quietly and Minding Your Affairs [00:30:34] Jesse Schwamb: I like what Paul says in one Thessalonians chapter four, aspire to live quietly and to mind your own affairs. I mean, that's. [00:30:42] Jesse Schwamb: Good advice for all of us, mind your own affairs and to work with your hands as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. So we talked before about what it means, that really in our work, we ought to care for those who we love. We ought to make sure that we can provide for them, but there will also be seasons. [00:30:59] Jesse Schwamb: One, there will be others who need to provide for us. And so in so doing, again, we're honoring God by walking in this path that he has given us, uh, to do. I like this. There's a couple of other great verses I think that are helpful for us to really think about what it means to have good work to do and to understand that good work. [00:31:17] The Blessing of Giving [00:31:17] Jesse Schwamb: Here's from Acts chapter 20. Paul says, in all things I've shown you that by working hard in this way, we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus. How He himself said, it is more blessed to give than to receive. So think about that there. There is an expression right there about work and what is this working hard. [00:31:35] Jesse Schwamb: It's to help the weak and to remember the words of Lord Jesus Christ. It is more blessed to give, to receive than to receive. Love always leads to giving for God. So love the world that he. Gave, and I think part of this good work that God calls us to is just giving. And so like right now, you may be in a season where you are giving of your labor in return for compensation, for that labor, but presumably there will, and there should come a time when you'll be giving it and you'll not be receiving that. [00:32:00] Jesse Schwamb: But it doesn't lessen the work. It doesn't take it away. It doesn't mean that it's not necessary anymore. We ought to continue to pursue that because love always leads to giving. Now I want to just finish our short little time together today as we've reasoned, hopefully. [00:32:15] Practical Ways to Exemplify Christian Values at Work [00:32:15] Jesse Schwamb: In a profound way from the scriptures helping us to be encouraged in this work by just a couple of things that if you are thinking in the sense of what can I do right now in my work of all kinds to exemplify and to be driven by unique view of humanity and a love rooted in the wisdom of the cross to stand out, what, what can we do as Christians, practically speaking. [00:32:37] Jesse Schwamb: To take everything that Paul has just given us here, appreciating this beautiful pattern that work is just gonna be part of our lives forever. And by the way, loved ones I, I have a strong conviction that in the new heavens and new Earth, that work will still be present there in a fully orbed and fully expressed, fully realized way that it's not capable today because of everything being mined by sin. [00:32:59] Jesse Schwamb: But then we're gonna find that this is just like an amm bush. It's the taste that. The thing that's coming for us, the appetizer of how work is gonna be fully satisfying, fully encouraging, fully joyful, and a full expression of how God has made us to do things. One of those things again are laboring in prayer, laboring on the construction site, laboring on a desk, laboring in the education and the teaching and ammunition of children. [00:33:24] Jesse Schwamb: All of these things are just really, really good. So what are a couple of things that we can do? Well, here's some things that that come to my mind. The first is that I think Christians can be known as the most care fairing and committed kind of people. So. Think about it this way, driven by the father's love and his acceptance of us through Jesus, we can be the kind of people that are known as fair, caring, and committed to others. [00:33:52] Jesse Schwamb: Since we know the depths of our own sin and the magnitude of God's grace to us, we can be ready to forgive and reconcile with others, and we should be quick to do so if we're doing that in their work environments. Whatever that environment is, there's no doubt this is gonna draw some fair amount of attention. [00:34:07] Jesse Schwamb: We may actually, and this is gonna sound a little bit wild. We may even have opportunities to take risks for the benefit of others. Now imagine it this way. Let's say that everybody has somebody to whom they're responsible and almost everybody else has somebody who's responsible to them. So think of it this way, if you are leading any kind of group of people, formerly or informally, you may have a unique opportunity to take risks on the behalf of those people. [00:34:30] Jesse Schwamb: Now, that may be may mean advocating for them. It could mean yielding to them, even if you have a hierarchical position that's above them. But more than anything, it could mean that you actually take a risk to take responsibility at times. So it's possible that let's say you're a leading a team and you're a place of work, and one of the people who is responsible to you, that is one of the people who reports to you, makes a mistake. [00:34:52] Jesse Schwamb: Let's say that the person that you are responsible to, your boss finds out about this. There's lots of ways you could go about this. Now, you may feel that you want to be easy just to say, well, this wasn't me. It was their fault. But consider how a Christian might approach this in love. It's possible that it may be entirely appropriate for that leader to take responsibility for the mistake, not taking blame for it, but taking responsibility for it as an act and expression of what it means to be fair, caring, and committed to others. [00:35:20] Jesse Schwamb: And now this may mean that if you were that person, you might lose a little bit of cloud to the organization. You might use a little bit of reputation or ability to maneuver within the organization, but there could be a very powerful, could be testimony in your ability to risk yourself for others in a way that I believe, again, is walking in this path of good works and that you are reasonable people. [00:35:41] Jesse Schwamb: You can sort out, I think in a situation like that. What kind of responsibility you might have, but I think it's important for us to consider that we may have that kind of responsibility and that to be known as fair, caring and committed to others. To advocate for them to again, forgive and to reconcile, and then sometimes to take risks of opportunity for the benefit of others is something that is unique to the Christian. [00:36:00] Jesse Schwamb: I think we at least agree on that, that kind of response to a s. We'll be wholeheartedly unique. [00:36:06] Generosity and Kingdom Living [00:36:06] Jesse Schwamb: I think we also need to be known as generous and depending on the context and opportunity, generosity at work can be expressed in so many different ways. Managers can be generous with their advice, their access, their investment in people. [00:36:17] Jesse Schwamb: All of us can be generous with our time, our money sharing our resources. Sacrificially. If you're a small business owner, and this is gonna sound wild, but let's, let's talk about kingdom living for a second. Loved ones like I presumably you're listening to this because we're not just satisfied with the small things. [00:36:31] Jesse Schwamb: We wanna think big in what it means. For the gospel to go out, for Jesus to be known. And so in this context of being generous, maybe it means if you're a small business owner, that you're willing to take less personal profit to benefit your neighbors or your customers or your employees. You know, I think of this company called a Go. [00:36:47] Jesse Schwamb: Which is a wooden toy company and it's, it was founded by a couple of Christians and driven by their Christian faith. They intentionally take smaller profit margins to benefit the people of Honduras where the wood is sourced and to create an employee savings program for them. I mean, that what a remarkable thing what, what a counter-cultural expression of what it means to be doing good. [00:37:08] Jesse Schwamb: Work. And so we can also grow and show our generosity to our colleagues by loving them outside work. You know, cooking a meal, preparing a meal for them when they have a child or attending a funeral if they lose a loved one, grabbing dinner with them if they're struggling, joining their club sports team, attending their wedding. [00:37:23] Jesse Schwamb: You know, generosity during, after work hours is a testimony of love. It shows that you see them as a whole person, not merely as like a productive asset or just a colleague. So I think we should push back a little bit on being generous and maybe sometimes I, I wanna say this. Gently because we are a benefit ourselves in this podcast of this, but not just with your money, especially with your time and maybe with like your attentional focus, maybe with your prayer time. [00:37:47] Jesse Schwamb: Maybe with your labor, in your prayer closet, that of all the things you could focus on, how often are we praying for our colleagues, like really praying that they would come to see the gospel in us, that we would be courageous in expressing that gospel and that God would arrest their hearts, which snatch them up and bring them into his kingdom so that all of our workplaces would be filled, uh, with Christians, that they would be everywhere. [00:38:08] Jesse Schwamb: Doing all kinds of things in som, much as God calls us to those things in submission to him, an expression of who he is and in obedience to what he's done for us. Here's another thing. I think this is a big one. It's one that I struggle with in my own life. [00:38:23] The Importance of Calmness and Authenticity [00:38:23] Jesse Schwamb: So I think another place, another way in which we can really stand out as Christians in our good work is to be known as calm. [00:38:30] Jesse Schwamb: Poised in the face of difficulty, failure or struggle. This might be the most telling way to judge if a person is drawing on the resources of the gospel and the development of their character. And this goes back to this idea of like, what does the a voracious person mean? It's, it's somebody who has like that inner. [00:38:47] Jesse Schwamb: Beauty expression of inner inner beauty. You know, how do we act when our boss passes over us for a promotion? How do we act if we fail to get that bonus we expected or, or if like a colleague is placed on a team we want to be on, how do we respond to those things really reveals where we placed our hope and identity. [00:39:03] Jesse Schwamb: And that can be a whole nother. Podcast. But if it's true that we have rooted ourselves, grounded ourselves, securely in Christ, then that is the supreme treasure that we have, and then everything else should be like, oh, that's no big deal. It's not to say that we're not gonna have big emotions, but even as we experience those big emotions, part of what it means to be humble is to come before God and say, God, I'm feeling this way. [00:39:26] Jesse Schwamb: And I'm a contingent being and I'm upset about this. Would you help me to reveal your gospel in this situation? And what a blessing in our progressive sanctification where God moves us into that space so that what becomes normative is when everybody else is losing their minds, when everybody else is gossiping, when everybody else is complaining. [00:39:46] Jesse Schwamb: What everybody else is pushing back here is the Christian who is resolute in firm and is speaking words of life. Encouragement into their workplace or those whom they're doing their work, who is speaking the gospel to them, who is calm and is poised and is ready to lead in such a way that brings value to everybody, helps 'em to find the true security in the situation and is not willing to compromise by participating in a meaningless backtalk. [00:40:12] Jesse Schwamb: That is an incredible testimony, and there's no doubt it's gonna cause us to stand out. There is something about this placing value that I think is important to mention. And I think I mentioned this before, but Tony's not here and I'm just talking. And so my experience, my professional career is all in the realm of finance. [00:40:30] Jesse Schwamb: So I've gotta use this because I think about this a lot and it's certainly relevant to us thinking about where is our value. [00:40:38] The Concept of True Treasure [00:40:38] Jesse Schwamb: I find it so interesting. That in the sermon on the mound. And when Jesus is speaking about treasures, he doesn't completely say that we should forsake treasures. Have you ever thought about that? [00:40:50] Jesse Schwamb: So instead of saying, you know, listen, don't worry about the treasure, just focus on me. Don't try to go after things. Just focus on me. And somebody says, listen. Listen, listen. You're going after the wrong treasure. So don't go after treasure where you know a moth or Russ is gonna destroy it or where like you're gonna be worried. [00:41:09] Jesse Schwamb: A thief is gonna break in and steal it. All those things are not just temporal, they can be taken from you. In fact, they, they will be taken from you. This is the wild part to me. He says instead, rather than do that, here's what you should do. Seek after the treasure that's in heaven. In other words, the proclivity to want to grab hold of valuable things and to keep them close to you, that is not bad in and of itself. [00:41:32] Jesse Schwamb: It's that you are focusing on the wrong thing that you want to grab and hold close. Seek after those treasures in heaven. And I can tell you why. This just shows the brilliancy with which Jesus knows us because he has created us loved ones, and in our fallen state, he's so kind to condescend to be like us, yet of course, without sin. [00:41:50] Jesse Schwamb: And in that he expresses a great knowledge of who we are and how we are. So. There's a very famous study done, actually very many versions of this study done, and what they'll do, and you can play along, I know I've done this before, but as you're sitting there listening to my voice play along with the scenario that I'm about to give you, and you can answer for yourself what you would do in this situation. [00:42:11] Jesse Schwamb: There's no right or wrong answer. So here's the situation. Researchers gave per people two options. They said, you, I can either give you a thousand dollars for sure, or. Or we can play a game. We'll flip a coin. If the coin is heads, you get $2,000, but if the coin comes up, tails, you get nothing. So the choices were you could have a sure thousand dollars or you could risk it. [00:42:39] Jesse Schwamb: And with a coin flip, a fair coin flip, you could get either $2,000 or zero. Now I'll pause. What would you prefer if you're like most people? You would take the sure $1,000 because you'd rather have for sure a thousand dollars in your pocket than giving up the gamble. Even though you could get twice as much the gamble of $2,000 or zero, who wants to walk away with zero when somebody's like, I'll give you a thousand dollars for certain. [00:43:06] Jesse Schwamb: Most people would prefer the certainty. Now those who are like keen have a turn of mind for mathematics are gonna realize that on average, those two options are exactly the same. So whether you get a thousand dollars. For certain, you got the a thousand dollars on the other option, half the time you'll get zero. [00:43:23] Jesse Schwamb: Half the time you'll get a $2,000. If you average those out, that's sequel to a thousand dollars over the long term. So there's something interesting there too, isn't it? See how our minds are working that we prefer, we are loss averse. In other words, we do not like loss. In fact, there's a very famous. [00:43:39] Jesse Schwamb: Theorem about this that says the pain of losing a dollar is twice as great as the pain of gaining one. And this is why it's so hard. If you have a retirement account, you have investments somewhere. When you look at your accounts and the numbers are down, you feel particularly awful. And when they're up, you feel good, but not that great. [00:43:54] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, this is the idea of. Being a loss averse. Now, here's the other thing that these researchers did. They flipped the whole scenario, and I'm gonna give you one more thing to think about. So rather than talking about gains, they said these people, okay, here's your choice, and you have to choose one of these. [00:44:09] Jesse Schwamb: Either you can take a sure loss of a thousand dollars, or you can take a gamble. And you can take a, we'll flip a coin and if it comes up heads, you'll lose $2,000. But if it comes up tails, you will lose zero. So again, here are the two options, but now we're talking about losses. You either have to take a loss of a thousand dollars for certain, or you could take the gamble, flip a fail fair coin, and you could lose $2,000 or you might lose nothing if it comes up tails. [00:44:42] Jesse Schwamb: Now what would you do? Now if you're like most people, what these researchers found is people gravitated toward taking the risk. That is, they chose the option when they said, let me flip the coin, because at least if I flip the coin, there's a chance I might not lose anything. I know I might lose $2,000, but I would rather take the risk of losing 2000, but have the opportunity to lose nothing than take the sure loss of a thousand dollars. [00:45:05] Jesse Schwamb: So here's what's crazy about all this. Here's what it teaches us, is we make the wrong choices all the time. You know, technically speaking, when it comes to gains, we should prefer the risk, the risk of zero, because you started out with zero, so you're not better. You're not worse off by having zero, and if you win, you get $2,000. [00:45:22] Jesse Schwamb: But when it comes to the loss, we should take the sure loss of a thousand dollars because we might end up having a loss of $2,000. We tend to behave poorly given the situations. This is an example of loss aversion and risk aversion, and Jesus knows this. That's the brilliance of it, of course, because he says, I know that your hearts will be troubled by losing your treasure. [00:45:45] Jesse Schwamb: So here's the thing. It's not the treasure that's bad, it's that you're putting your faith, you're going after the wrong thing. So loved ones. When we find ourselves rooted in Christ, when we find our identity right there in him, when we are sure that all that we have is in the heavenly realms and therefore everything else can float and fl away, then we find ourselves able to be the kind of people in our workplaces where we're calm, poised in the face of difficulty failure, or all kinds of challenges. [00:46:14] Jesse Schwamb: One more thing I would encourage you with, and that is just be known as authentic and integrated. This goes back to something Tony and I have really challenged ourselves with so much, and that is some Christians aren't very open about their faith at work and others talk about it all the time, but act and speak in ways that marginalize nonbelievers. [00:46:30] Jesse Schwamb: We should, of course, be really wise about how we share the reason for the hope that we're, we have when we're at work. But staying silent isn't an option. If we wanna be authentic people, we have to bring our whole selves to work. I think this is where we all, at times could use a little work. I, I've barely been encouraged by brothers and sisters who are far better at this than I, where. [00:46:50] Jesse Schwamb: They're really good at explaining why they do something, and perhaps they've been building a relationship with non-believers, serving them, working with them. And, but when the right opportunity approaches when the moment arrives, they're right there with their explanation. They're quick to say, it's because Jesus loves me. [00:47:06] Jesse Schwamb: They're quick to talk about the transforming power of the gospel. And it's not in a way that's overbearing. It's not in a way that seems disingenuous or somehow like they're, they're shoehorning in some kind of, you know, bully pulpit testimony. Instead, it's a natural expression. Because they were ready and willing and brave. [00:47:22] Jesse Schwamb: To do that. So we've got to be known as authentic and integrated, and that integration is just as important as the authenticity. What, what is the good, what is the point of doing many of these good works if there is not a commensurate explanation or expression of why we are doing them, because. Plenty of people who are non-believers also do good work. [00:47:42] Jesse Schwamb: This is part of the common grace that God has given to all of our world and to the entire universe writ large. So in that being said, sometimes we just need to say, this is why I'm doing it. And it's possible that probably people are sometimes thinking, I have no idea why this person is doing this, but I'm not gonna ask them. [00:47:57] Jesse Schwamb: 'cause that's super weird. So by us stepping forward and saying, listen, I love you, God is good to me, uh, there there's a God over the universe who saved me. I was in this pit of despair and he's taken me out of that pit. My work, the things I do, I do now for him. I do it not just because I wanna provide for my family, but because I love God. [00:48:16] Jesse Schwamb: I want to be obedient in worshiping him, and part of how I worship him is doing my work this particular way. That's why you see me. Work like this. What a beautiful thing. Loved ones. [00:48:25] Final Thoughts and Encouragement [00:48:25] Jesse Schwamb: So there's so much I think for us to think about here. I could go on and on, and at this point, this is no longer a short episode. [00:48:32] Jesse Schwamb: You've gotten almost 50 minutes of me just talking. So I want to thank some people for good works right now. And that is. For those of you who have joined in the Telegram chat and are hanging out. Thank you. I really appreciate that. And there's so much good conversation going on there. Again, I gotta plug it. [00:48:48] Jesse Schwamb: If you haven't, if you're not in there, you're really missing out on this experience. It's not just hearing Tony and I talk. It's coming alongside and being integrated with all kinds of other brothers and sisters. So do yourself and us a favor and go to T Me Rhyme, see t me slash reform brotherhood and come hang out with us in addition. [00:49:10] Jesse Schwamb: I'm so grateful for all those who contribute to the podcast financially to make sure that just keeps going. If you've ever wondered like, how is this all free, and there's a website where I can go surf the back catalog@reformbrotherhood.com and it just shows up in my podcast feed, and it doesn't sound like they're in a tin can somewhere or in a hurricane recording this. [00:49:28] Jesse Schwamb: How does all of that happened? It happens because there's so many lovely brothers and sisters who's come alongside and said. Yeah, you know what? After all my responsibilities, I have a little bit left over and I wanna make sure that this thing just continues to keep going. And so I say to you, thank you so much. [00:49:43] Jesse Schwamb: If you would like to be a part of that and I challenge you, come join us in giving toward the podcast, Tony and I do. And there's somebody I love, our brothers and sisters who do as well. That's what makes this happen. You can go to patreon.com, reformed brotherhood, so we've got all kinds of good stuff coming up. [00:49:59] Jesse Schwamb: I love the fall season, autumn in the Western hemisphere here, because it feels like a reset in many ways. Like the kids go back to school, the weather changes depending on where you are, the
The boys return for another week to discuss the latest in Greek football, the gift that keeps on giving.International break previewGreece host Belarus & Denmark.Both are must win gamesTransfers newsPAO sign Dessers and TabordaPodence returns to OlympiakosPAOK sign two ItaliansAEK bring in GrujićOther newsAris close to sacking OuzounidisKifisia stadium issuesGreek Cup League Phase, is it a good idea or not?Ange Postecoglou linked with Bayer LeverkusenTachtsidis joins the 20th football club of his careerGive us a follow on:X: https://twitter.com/HellasfootyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellasfooty/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@HellasFootyRead our blogs on: https://hellasfooty.blogspot.com/Intro music credit to George Prokopiou (Ermou Street)
INXS fans are in for another treat with Part Two of our fascinating deep dive with the inimitable Gary Grant who joined the INXS family in 1981. His contribution was as large as any in ensuring INXS' business affairs, touring and promotional efforts were A grade in every way. A great storyteller, we get fascinating insights into the game-changing tour with Adam Ant in 1983, why Australian band Managers were so successful globally and numerous anecdotes about a time and place when music was front and centre in people's entertainment consciousness. Gary generously shares the remarkable relationship and teamwork with Chris Murphy followed by the unfortunate fallout that culminated in the Concert for Life at Centennial Park in March 1992 with Gary departing the INXS family. Not one to rest on his laurels, Gary was able to parlay his skills into venue management whereby he spearheaded Sydney's Luna Park's foray into concert hosting. A role that would last over a dozen years and coincidentally saw him hosting INXS' 2006 Sydney gigs with JD Fortune and the Switch Tour. We get Bee's counterpoint “Pleasure and Pain” list from 1981, a special news section with some famous September birthdays (hello) plus an iconic tribute song that celebrates its 40th anniversary. So do yourself a favour, forget about the problems in your life and tune into INXS: Access all Areas! Love and Peace https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/ https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/patrons
Being a manager requires relational skills, because you're not just managing work you are managing people and relationships. That's why communication is so important.**After the Episode**Join the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategiesReach out for private coaching to deepen your personal growth and accelerate your professional development (mindfully!):https://kimnicol.com/Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/
In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit a classic topic: The Power of Clickable Demos in the Software Development Lifecycle. This time, they reframe it through the lens of demo-driven development, exploring how lightweight prototypes align teams, validate ideas, and reduce costly missteps. What is Demo-Driven Development? Demo-driven development utilizes interactive prototypes early in the lifecycle to demonstrate how an application might function before coding begins. These demos link wireframes or screens together into a simple, clickable flow. Low fidelity: Basic wireframes to test flow and logic. High fidelity: Polished UI mockups that look like production. Best practice: Begin low fidelity and add detail only as needed. “Demo-driven development gives stakeholders something to touch and test—without weeks of coding.” How Interactive Demo-Driven Development Improves Alignment Instead of static diagrams, teams can walk clients through interactive experiences that make requirements tangible. This approach helps uncover gaps, clarify assumptions, and prevent misunderstandings. Even a rough demo can save hours of rework by sparking conversations that written requirements alone often miss. Benefits for Developers, Managers, and Clients Prototypes provide value across roles: Developers: Spot design flaws early and estimate with more confidence. Product managers and designers: Validate ideas quickly and secure buy-in. Clients and end users: Interact with something realistic, making feedback far easier. “Many times, a demo exposes what was never written in requirements—but was always assumed.” Common Pitfalls to Avoid As Michael points out, demos can sometimes create false direction. Stakeholders may perceive the prototype as production-ready, prompting teams to release features that are rushed or incomplete. To prevent this: Emphasize that prototypes are exploratory. Focus on solving the problem, not polish. Avoid over-engineering features that may never be built. Using Prototypes for A/B Testing One strength of this approach is the ability to test multiple designs quickly. By creating different variations of a flow, teams can gather real feedback and compare preferences. For instance, rotating two demo versions on a website gives instant insight into which design resonates most, ensuring decisions are based on evidence rather than guesswork. Tools and Workflow for Demo-Driven Development Rob and Michael highlight practical ways to make demos effective: Start with wireframes – concentrate on flow, not design. Choose the right tools – Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, or basic HTML/CSS. Test before presenting – nothing derails a meeting faster than broken links. Guide discussions – keep clients from getting stuck on minor details, such as colors. Keep it lean – focus on essentials that prove the concept. “Solve the problem first. Make it pretty later.” Why This Approach Still Matters Today Revisiting this topic highlights the continued value of demo-driven development. It accelerates feedback, ensures alignment, and keeps projects focused on real user needs before heavy development begins. When used wisely, it reduces risk, minimizes wasted effort, and helps teams deliver software that both functions effectively and delights users. Stay Connected: Join the Developreneur Community We invite you to join our community and share your coding journey with us. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting, there's always room to learn and grow together. Contact us at info@develpreneur.com with your questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes. Together, let's continue exploring the exciting world of software development. Additional Resources Building Out Your Application From a Demo How to Create an Effective Clickable Demo Successful Presentation Tips for Developers: Effective Demo Strategies Transform Your Projects: The Ultimate Guide to Effective User Stories The Developer Journey Videos – With Bonus Content Building Better Developers With AI Podcast Videos – With Bonus Content
"Here is a game to play. Name as many two minute songs as you can following these rules. Only one song per group and you cannot name just punk songs. We then go one step farther and change the game to as many one minute songs as you can."
Join Ankita and Apoorva as they unpack the top three events that rocked the workplace this August! First, dive into Silicon Valley's dramatic transformation into the 'hard-tech era,' where kombucha taps are out and GPU chips are in. In what might be this episode's most quotable moment (thanks, ChatGPT!), discover why companies risk becoming "technically strong but socially brittle" in this new landscape that signals a broader 'employee experience recession.' Then, explore the growing tension between corporate interests and employee activism as Microsoft makes headlines for controversial staff terminations. Plus, unravel the latest management revolution sweeping through Corporate America, where companies are slashing middle management by up to 35% - but at what cost? Stick around for our hosts' signature "three more" segment featuring fascinating updates from a Himalayan digital nomad hub, Meta's surprising AI hiring freeze, and one company's bold bet on workplace perks while others strip them away. Whether you're an HR professional navigating these changes or a curious observer of workplace evolution, this episode delivers sharp insights with HR Bandit's trademark blend of analysis and wit. Tune in for a reality check on where work is headed!
Venture capital visionary Winter Mead joins Sophie to unravel the complex yet rewarding landscape of venture capital and private equity. Discover the powerful insights from industry-specific literature like "Beyond the J Curve" and how these works reshape our comprehension of financial systems. Sophie's conversation with Winter reveals his unique path from a multifamily office to founding Coolwater Capital, and his mission to empower emerging managers in the VC space with a robust three-pronged approach. Winter Mead is the Founder and Managing Member of the investment firm Coolwater Capital, which exclusively focuses on emerging managers and technology investments. Coolwater is an academy for training, building, and scaling emerging managers, a curated community of VC investors and early-stage investment specialists, and an investment firm. Coolwater has helped launch over 250 emerging managers in the last four years, establishing strong ties and trust with these managers, who form the foundation of the Coolwater community. In this episode, you'll hear about: Winter Mead's journey from a multifamily office to founding Coolwater Capital Empowering emerging VC managers with a three-pronged approach: accelerator, back office, and capital support Transitioning from angel investor to fund manager; differences in responsibilities and challenges The role of AI in venture ecosystems and its impact on early-stage investing Importance of personal connections in venture capital despite technological advancements Coolwater Academy's resources for fund managers focusing on fundraising and launching funds Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wintermead/ Website - https://www.wintermead.com/ Coolwater website https://howtosetupaventurecapitalfund.com/ Alcorn Immigration Law: Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter Sophie Alcorn Podcast: Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3 Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook
Send us a textIsn't it time you played a bigger game in your career?Too many brilliant women in leadership are showing up as a diluted version of themselves masking their true brilliance, overthinking every move, and second-guessing their voice in the boardroom.But what if you could drop the mask, step into authentic, confident leadership, and still have time for the moments that matter most?Want to Lead with More Confidence and Live with More Balance? Discover 3SIXTY leaders ClubPodcast Details: In this week's episode of the 360 LeadHERship Podcast, I sat down with two incredible 3SIXTY Leaders Club members, Sandra and Marie, who have done exactly that.They share how they went from self-doubt and hesitation to promotions, stronger executive presence, and perhaps most importantly more time and energy to live life on their own terms.Tune in to discover:Goal setting strategies that helped them shift from reactive to strategic leadershipHow they built unstoppable executive presence without changing who they areMindset shifts that helped them speak up with authority and influence in senior leadership meetingsThe ripple effect of leadership growth on work-life balanceWhy being part of a like-minded community accelerates confidence, clarity, and career progression for women in leadershipRecommended Next Steps
Enforcing work-life boundaries is good for employee morale and productivity. Managers say that's what they want—but often they don't act accordingly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bienvenue sur Happy Work Express, le podcast quotidien qui vous livre des chiffres étonnants et des anecdotes sur le monde du travail en quelques minutes. Happy Work Express est une version quotidienne et plus courte de Happy Work, le podcast francophone audio le plus écouté sur le bien-être au travail et le management bienveillant.Que vous soyez salarié, manager ou à la tête d'une entreprise, Happy Work Express vous apporte chaque jour des informations pertinentes et surprenantes pour éclairer votre journée de travail.Chaque épisode vous offre un regard neuf sur des statistiques clés, des tendances actuelles et des faits insolites qui façonnent le monde professionnel. Être manager ou managé, ce n'est pas toujours simple... mais ces chiffres vous montreront que vous n'êtes pas seul.e.s.devenir un meilleur manager ou un meilleur managé... c'est parfois simple comme un chiffre ;-)Abonnez-vous dès maintenant et enrichissez votre quotidien avec Happy Work Express !Si vous êtes sur Apple Podcast... n'oubliez surtout pas de mettre une étoile à Happy Work #management #carrière Soutenez ce podcast http://supporter.acast.com/happy-work. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.
Stephen Grootes and Advaita Naidoo, Africa MD at Jack Hammer Global, discuss the key distinctions between leaders and managers, exploring how each role shapes organisational culture and performance. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape. Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa Follow us on social media 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This Week on the Pod.We're back with another week of chaos, hot takes, and questionable decisions. Here's what's on deck: The Week That Was – including the absolute villains who turn the lights on first thing in the morning. NRL & Football Accountability – because someone has to hold them to it. Round 26 Recap & Review – highs, lows, and the usual blow-ups. The Transfer Window Has Officially Closed – and the fallout begins. Managers on the chopping block – Ten Hag, Solskjær & Mourinho all sacked. Luis Suárez – spitting on opposition staff… yep, really.Racing Corner Treasurethe Moment takes out the Memsie Stakes. Weekend Blackbookers. Moir Stakes preview.The Bin List Barking at the pokie machine. Only wearing socks on the treadmill. (We're judging.)Listener Questions Who wins Rookie of the Year? Sitili Tupouniua's dacking moment. Best recovery for athletes? (Apparently drinking toilet water , ask Reece Walsh). Toby Rudolf: “My shit don't stink” (IYKYK).NRL Round 27 Preview & Stats Everything you need to know before the weekend.Punt Off Bets Back 'em, fade 'em, or just laugh at them.Stay up to date by following us on Instagram @Coastalsportspod(0:00) Catch Up (4:04) People Who Turn The Lights On First Thing In The Morning (10:56) NRL Accountability (18:39) Football Accountability (20:41) Major Transfers Across Europe (33:37) Luis Suárez Spitting On Opposition (35:22) Treasurethe Moment Takes Out the Memsie Stakes(36:21) Weekend Blackbookers (39:51) Moir Stakes Preview (43:55) Barking At The Pokies (48:08) Only Wearing Socks On The Tredmill (51:30) Who Wins Rookie Of The Year? (53:28) Sitili Tupouniua dacking(54:47) Is the Best Recovery For Athletes Drinking Toilet Water (56:57) Toby Rudolf My Shit Don't Stink (58:51) Broncos v Storm (1:07:02) Manly v Warriors (1:11:35) Roosters v Rabbitohs (1:16:28) Dragons v Panthers(1:20:39) Titans v Tigers (1:23:34) Bulldogs v Sharks(1:25:46) Dolphins v Raiders (1:28:00) Eels v Knights (1:30:24) Generational Wealth
Today's guest Paul Caine is the President of OnLocation, the premium experiential hospitality division of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO). Under his leadership, OnLocation has become the global leader in sports and entertainment hospitality, managing premium experiences for over 150 rightsholders including the NFL, NCAA, UFC, IOC, FIFA, and PGA of America. Following TKO's recent $3.25 billion all share acquisition of OnLocation from Endeavor in February 2025, Caine is positioned at the forefront of the rapidly expanding premium sports hospitality market ahead of next year's FIFA World Cup in the US.This podcast is sponsored by Leaders in SportLeaders in Sport connects the most influential people and the most powerful ideas in global sport to catalyse discussion, and drive the industry forward. A new membership offering from them is the Leaders Club, the community for tomorrow's sport industry leaders. With 650+ members across chapters in London, Manchester, New York, Chicago and LA, Leaders Club was created with the mission to support the personal and professional growth of the next generation of leaders. This is done through members-only exclusive events, interactive networking experiences, and access to knowledge from experts inside and outside of sport. Leaders Club is for talented Managers and Heads of who are ambitious to progress towards C-Suite - if this is you, or perhaps someone in your team, find out more about membership at http://leadersclub.comAlso, remember that Leaders Week London is now a month away, visit leadersinsport.com/UP for more information and use UP15 for a 15% discount on your Summit passesUnofficial Partner is the leading podcast for the business of sport. A mix of entertaining and thought provoking conversations with a who's who of the global industry. To join our community of listeners, sign up to the weekly UP Newsletter and follow us on Twitter and TikTok at @UnofficialPartnerWe publish two podcasts each week, on Tuesday and Friday. These are deep conversations with smart people from inside and outside sport. Our entire back catalogue of 400 sports business conversations are available free of charge here. Each pod is available by searching for ‘Unofficial Partner' on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher and every podcast app. If you're interested in collaborating with Unofficial Partner to create one-off podcasts or series, you can reach us via the website.
If you're trying to get your company in order, don't start with training your managers. Start with those at the bottom, and work your way up. Once they're trained, then you can then focus on your managers' KPIs. Find more resources at www.7powercontractor.com. Notice to listeners: The information in this book, along with the forms and structures provided, are meant to serve as a helpful reference guide for the plumbing, heating, cooling, electrical, and other contracting industries. The host of and contributors to this podcast take no responsibility for compliance with the laws or regulations that govern your specific business. The responsibility for making sure everything is compliant (among other things) is 100 percent yours. Before you implement any new information or forms, please check with your own trusted business advisers, including your own attorney, to make certain that the forms and the information you plan to implement will comply with all relevant laws, customs, and regulations.
In this episode of 'A Millennial Mind', I'm joined by Heather Elkington, a leadership expert and first-time author of 'Your Boss Era'. Heather shares her journey from studying outdated leadership models to redefining management in a small startup, growing it significantly, and finally navigating through the corporate world. We discuss the apparent differences in work ethics between millennials and Gen Z, the importance of transparency in the workplace, and why embracing hard conversations is crucial for effective leadership. Heather also sheds light on the importance of intentionality in work, the pitfalls of toxic meetings, and the significant shifts in workplace dynamics post-COVID. Tune in for a deep dive into managing Gen Z, fostering a high-performance culture, and the essential elements of being a great leader. 00:00 Introduction: Millennials vs. Gen Z Work Ethic 00:50 Meet Heather Elkington: Leadership Expert 03:04 Heather's Career Journey and Insights 06:05 The Impact of COVID on the Workplace 12:40 Transparency and Trust in Leadership 25:12 Balancing Work Hours and Burnout 37:19 The Challenge of People Pleasing and Career Growth 41:30 The Importance of Confrontation 41:57 Evaluating Your Social and Work Calendar 42:38 Balancing Wedding Planning and Work 43:46 Understanding and Leveraging Your Strengths 47:21 Emotional Intelligence and Energy Awareness 49:55 The Art of Confrontation: A Four-Step Framework 55:13 Transparency in the Workplace 01:00:29 The Reality of Entrepreneurship 01:04:10 The Challenges of Balancing Roles and Responsibilities 01:05:24 Advice for Managers and Employees 01:10:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Last Saturday is a day that will be remembered in Galway GAA for a long time following the success of the Galway U15 and U16 Hurling teams in All-Ireland Finals. The U15 team won the Arrabawn A Cup beating Tipperary by 4-12 to 3-8 and the U16 team followed suit with a 2-17 to 0-12 win over Tipperary in their final. Managers of the U15's Aidan Ryan and U16's Shane Cusack spoke to John Mulligan about their teams' successes.
In this episode, Ricardo discusses the concept of "silent success" in projects. Managers often highlight dramatic stories: impossible deadlines met, small teams overcoming limitations, or difficult clients. These narratives attract attention, but true success can be more discreet: well-managed risks, on-time deliveries, a motivated team, and aligned stakeholders. Without memorable crises, this work is often seen as luck or an easy project, when in fact it results from careful planning, constant communication, and early strategic decisions. Ricardo warns that it's necessary to review metrics and value these managers, as they are the ones who truly deliver the expected results, without relying on the spectacle of the crisis. Listen to the podcast to learn more.
Send us a textIn this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom Seeko interviews Dr. Michelle Drake—veterinarian, author, and long-time practice owner. Dr. Drake shares how she built a mission-driven veterinary practice, the importance of planning and leadership, and why working on your business matters. She also discusses the challenges of staying independent and her transition into speaking and writing to mentor others. Tune in for expert advice on veterinary practice management, leadership, and sustainable growth.Learn more about Genius Vets and the work they do here and consider purchasing Dr. Drake's book, Veterinary Leadership: A Practical Guide for Practice Owners and Managers here!Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/Watch the no cost 5 part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances. 5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice. Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-usCheck out our social media channels Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAK-PzGDIch3vzKiAjWVrQQ
Send us a textIn this episode, Kiley explores how Parts Work, most commonly associated with Dr. Richard C. Schwartz's Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, can transform your experience of polyamory and consensual non-monogamy.You'll learn how to identify your inner Managers, Firefighters, and Exiles, and how to lead from your calm, compassionate Self — even in the middle of jealousy, fear of abandonment, or metamour conflict.We'll also connect these tools to Jessica Fern's Polysecure, showing how parts work can help you earn secure attachment both within yourself and with your partners. Plus, Kiley shares her own journey of meeting protective and wounded parts with curiosity and compassion instead of reactivity.Referenced Resources & Books:No Bad Parts — Richard C. SchwartzInternal Family Systems Therapy, Second Edition — Richard C. Schwartz & Martha SweezyPolysecure — Jessica FernSelf-Therapy — Jay EarleyFree IFS meditations — IFS-Institute.comJay Earley's Parts Work Exercises — SelfTherapy.orgWhether you're new to parts work or deep into your own IFS journey, this episode offers practical tools for emotional regulation, self-compassion, and building security in the beautiful complexity of polyamory.Support the show
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. In Episode 51 of the Vintory Podcast, Brooke Pfautz connects with Brandon Ezra currently Co-Founder at Stakeholders VR Group. After 14 years growing and scaling Grand Welcome, Brandon has seen it all, scaled it up and then exited a healthy thriving business. He shares his lessons, mistakes and learnings along the way towards that exit along with a brand-new model that's win-win for vacation rental managers.Enjoy!⭐️ Links & Show NotesVacation Rental SecretsBrooke PfautzStakeholders VRBrandon Ezra
"A band named The Velvet Sundown had a hit a short while ago. The concern was that the band and the music were all fake. They were both fully AI generated. It is easier than you think. We have the story and some examples of when I did the same thing for an audience just to prove how easy it is to do."
Send us a textLINKS for context: https://youtu.be/9vGQ1VvylS8?si=to_V9RELAhvz4Gnmhttps://www.reddit.com/r/ThatsInsane/s/rrCihdYAtKEver witnessed management decisions so shocking they leave you speechless? This episode dives into three workplace scenarios that'll make your jaw drop – and your blood boil.First, we discuss why water parks might be the worst team-building venue imaginable. As Warren shares from his experience managing one, "I've seen more tail today than I'd see in an aquarium" isn't exactly the feedback you want from your company outing. We break down why swimwear and colleagues simply don't mix, no matter how fun the slides might be.The conversation takes a serious turn as we analyze a viral confrontation between an Alaskan resort employee and management. When managers barged into employee housing demanding sick workers show up, one bartender decided to record the interaction. What follows is a masterclass in how NOT to handle workplace conflict – from false accusations to the dismissive "you're just a bartender" comment that ultimately ignited a termination. We unpack the racial microaggressions, power dynamics, and management failures that turned a fixable situation into a PR nightmare.Most disturbing is our final story about a 19-year-old special needs employee at Meijer grocery who was arrested for eating approximately $110 worth of food over three months. Rather than addressing this through coaching or compassionate conversation, management monitored him for months before involving police – a decision that speaks volumes about their values. As HR professionals, we're outraged by this callous approach to managing vulnerable employees.These stories highlight critical workplace issues around power, dignity, and proportional responses to problems. Whether you're in HR or management, these cautionary tales demonstrate why leading with empathy isn't just morally right – it's essential to functioning workplaces.Subscribe, share your thoughts, and join us in exploring the sometimes jaded world of human resources – where we say everything you're thinking but can't say out loud.Support the showWe want to hear from you.Text us or leave a voicemail (252) 564-9899email: feedback@jadedhr.comWant to:* Share a dumb employee question* Share a crazy story* Ask us a question* Share a best practice * Give us feedback Our Link Tree below has links to our social media sites, Patreon, Apple podcasts, Spotify & more.Please leave a review on your favorite podcast player and interact with us online!Linktree - https://linktr.ee/jadedhrFollow Cee Cee on IG - BoozyHR @ https://www.instagram.com/boozy_hr/
As the lines between democracy and monarchy blur, what kind of power are we living under—and what kind of authority do we trust?In this episode of Rebuilders, Mark, Liddy, and Daniel explore the seismic shifts happening in how power is exercised and understood in our time. From Max Weber's classic categories of authority to the rise of charismatic leaders like Donald Trump, they trace how the erosion of rational-legal power and the resurgence of personality-driven, almost “royal” rule are reshaping politics, culture, and even the church.Is Trump's style of leadership a symptom—or the beginning—of a deeper cultural shift? Are we witnessing a post-secular return to sacred forms of power? And what does it mean for Christians to live under the authority of a very different kind of king?
In this episode of “Lead the People,” host Matt Poepsel welcomes AmberLyn Bryant, People & Culture Director at Keyrenter Denver, to explore how behavioral insights and intentional culture-building elevate employee experiences. Drawing from her own evolution through toxic to thriving workplaces, AmberLyn shares how data-driven tools like the Predictive Index are transforming how teams communicate, onboard, and grow. Learn how a personalized approach to leadership and employee reviews is not just a “nice to have,” but a strategic advantage for scaling organizations. This episode is a roadmap for HR professionals and people-first leaders who want to turn culture into a catalyst for performance. From Our Sponsor: The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com. Additional Resources: Listen to the original episode on Lead the People Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Self-awareness tools accelerate personal and team growth. Scalable culture needs personalized, structured systems. Quarterly reviews drive alignment and reduce bias. Behavioral data enables tailored leadership. Strong HR-business partnerships fuel better outcomes.
When it comes to our finances, we often wonder: Where does God's provision end and our responsibility begin? Should we simply wait and trust Him—or get to work and provide for ourselves?The truth is, it's not either-or. God calls us to both trust Him and participate in His provision. Not because He needs our help, but because He delights in working through us.Avoiding Two ExtremesYou've likely heard the phrase, “Let go and let God.” While it sounds spiritual, it can sometimes lead to passivity. On the other end of the spectrum, some of us live as if everything depends on us—hustling, stressing, and striving in our own strength.Scripture offers a better way: a life of faith that doesn't ignore work, and a life of work that doesn't ignore faith. God invites us into a partnership—trusting His sovereignty while faithfully engaging in our responsibilities.Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:6, “It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.” The farmer can't make the rain fall or the seeds grow, yet he tills, plants, and harvests. He works diligently while depending entirely on God for the increase.In the same way, we can't control the economy or prevent every financial emergency—but we can make wise choices. By living below our means, avoiding debt, and giving generously, we acknowledge God as our Provider while faithfully stewarding what He entrusts to us.God Provides—We ParticipatePsalm 104:14 reminds us, “You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate.” God causes the growth, yet invites us to cultivate it. His provision is not a one-sided transaction—it's a relationship.We see this throughout Scripture. When Jesus fed the 5,000, He didn't create food out of thin air. Instead, He multiplied a boy's simple lunch. God chooses to involve us, not because He lacks resources, but because He delights in using us to bless others.God's Word makes it clear that provision and work go hand in hand.Ephesians 4:28 urges, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor… so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 calls us to “work with your hands… so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”Laziness is never encouraged, but neither is frantic self-reliance. Instead, Scripture calls us to wise diligence rooted in God's faithfulness.Stewardship means recognizing that everything belongs to God. We are not owners but managers, entrusted with His resources to reflect His character.And His provision is never just for us. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:10–11, “He who supplies seed to the sower… will supply and multiply your seed for sowing… You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way.”God enriches us so that generosity might overflow through us—producing thanksgiving to Him.Living in the Beautiful In-BetweenSo how do we balance trust in God's provision with active participation?Pray before you plan—inviting God into your financial goals.Work with diligence, not fear—resting in His faithfulness, not your performance.Give generously—not because God needs your money, but because He invites you to reflect His heart.Rest confidently—knowing God is at work even when you sleep.At the end of the day, God delights in using ordinary people with ordinary means to display His extraordinary grace. He is the Provider, and we have the privilege of being His participants.Provision, then, is not just about a paycheck—it's about a partnership. Let's stop asking whether it's “all up to us” or “all up to God” and embrace the beautiful in-between: trusting Him, working faithfully, and joining Him in the joy of provision.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:My wife and I inherited a house from a family member in another state. We'd like to keep it available for friends, family, or church members to use, rather than renting it out. What do you think about that approach?My wife and I are in our early 80s. Years ago, we used our Roth IRAs to pay off our home, allowing us to live debt-free in retirement. We use our IRA for charitable giving, but with the rising cost of living, I'm wondering if a reverse mortgage could be a smart tool. What's your advice?If I already have a living will, will my assets still need to go through the probate process?I've had a long-term care policy since 2018 with $400,000 in coverage, but I was told there's a six-month waiting period before it pays out. That seems long to me. Should I consider canceling the policy?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.
What's the right way to self-promote without sounding arrogant? How do you confidently speak about your work (and get credit for it)? How do you talk about your achievements assertively? In this episode, you'll discover: What to do when your boss takes your idea and runs with it How to get credit at work (even if you're overlooked) Why your team gets left out of the thank-yous (and how to fix it) How to talk about your achievements when numbers don't tell the story How to share wins in a way that builds respect (not resentment) Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Addressing Overlooked Contributions 01:21 Workshop Insights: Real Questions from Professionals 03:07 Promoting Your Team's Efforts 05:11 Networking Without Arrogance 06:41 Showcasing Achievements Without Numbers 11:26 Communicating with Higher Management 13:42 Building Self-Confidence and Recognizing Your Value 18:43 Handling Idea Theft by Managers 23:16 Promoting Non-Work Accomplishments 27:10 Cultural Nuances in Self-Promotion ✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/ ✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader ✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915 ✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2 ✅ Order our book, ‘Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership' where each strategy is also a real story: https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/ ✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ ✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops Contact me: info@assertiveway.com or ivnacuri@assertiveway.com Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2
Thinking of offering revenue share to an ads manager so you don't have to pay upfront? I get why it feels like a win-win, but the reality is that good ads managers rarely say yes to that kind of deal. Cut your lead gen costs in HALF with my $37 mini-course–NOW only $17!Visit The Art of Online Business website for Facebook Ads help I explain why revenue share offers are risky, the kind of ad managers you actually attract with them, and why that can hurt your results. I also walk you through the practical steps you can take to improve your funnel, like boosting opt-in page conversions, tightening up your emails, and testing your audiences... so that when you're ready to hire an ads manager, you'll already have profit to pay them with. Watch this episode on YouTube! Please click here to give an honest Rating/Review for the show on iTunes! Thanks for your support! Kwadwo [QUĀY.jo] Sampany-Kessie's Links:Get 1:1 Meta Ads Coaching from Kwadwo!Say hi to Kwadwo on InstagramSubscribe to The Art of Online Business's YouTube Channel