Making It Work: God and Your Work

How you present yourself and what you post online impacts you and others. What wisdom and guidance can faith provide for deciding how you use your platform and what you share? Today, we're talking to Christian and Anastasia Anderson about how God has guided them on their journey as influencers. Christian and Anastasia are active creators on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, they currently have a family channel that has over 40,000 subscribers and over 30,000 followers each on Instagram and TikTok. And although their approach on social media is lighthearted, their influence runs deep.

Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

Additional Resources:

• Christian and Anastasia on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/YourFavoriteChristian
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianandanastasia1/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christianandanastasia1

If the thought of asking for a raise makes you nervous, you're not alone. Today's guest is here to help. Sarah Evers is a consultant with over 25 years of experience helping leaders reach their goals. Her clients can be found in fashion, global finance and legacy brand firms. We’re talking to Sarah today about how to negotiate a raise, the specific challenges facing women when negotiating pay and how the Bible can help us think about it all.

Scripture References: Genesis 18:16-33

Additional Resources: VOCA Center https://www.vocacenter.org

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/how-to-ask-for-a-raise-sarah-evers/

Whether you can't stand your job or just want to try something new, contemplating a career change can be intimidating. Dr. Eli Jones is a professor of Marketing, former Dean of Mays Business School, and Peggy May's eminent scholar in business at Texas A&M University. In his recent book, Run Toward your Goliaths, Dr. Jones shares about how faith helped him overcome his personal and professional giants to follow God's guidance in his work and career path. This included a career change as he switched from being a successful businessman to becoming a professor.

Scripture References

• 1 Samuel 17

Additional Resources

• Run Toward Your Goliaths by Eli Jones

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/following-gods-lead-through-a-career-change-eli-jones/

Have you ever felt God calling you to try something unexpected and outside of your comfort zone? Or perhaps you’ve found yourself in a position at work where you wondered if you were the right person for the job. Guest Jessica Tanoesoedibjo has been called into many unexpected roles at work. Although she dreamt of going to seminary and working in church ministry, God called her to business school instead.  She now works for the MNC group in the financial services, philanthropy and education sectors, where she continues to follow God through unexpected challenges, like leading her team through the pandemic. She’s here to talk about her experience of responding to God when he calls us out of our comfort zone.

Scripture References

• Genesis 1

Additional Resources

• Courage and Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential by Gordon T. Smith

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/when-god-calls-you-to-the-unexpected-jessica-tanoesoedibjo/

How do you respond when you’re being overlooked, misunderstood, or even mistreated at work? Your situation might leave you feeling angry, drained, or overwhelmed. Your performance suffers. You may wonder, “Where is God while I’m going through this?” What should you do? How can you discover the story God is writing for your life, amidst adversity at work? Guest Janeen Uzzell is the CEO of the National Society of Black Engineers and former COO at Wikimedia, after 18 years of working in technology at GE. A global strategist and STEM leader, Janeen is experienced at building and managing inclusive teams, and she’s going to help us work through this question of how to respond to being mistreated at work.

Scripture References

• Colossians 3:12
• 1 Samuel 25

Additional Resources

• Find Janeen Uzzell on Twitter at @janeenuzzell
  
  
• Suscipe by Ignatius Loyola: Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me.

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/how-to-respond-to-disrespect-at-work-janeen-uzzell/

Hearing the term “marketing” can bring up a mixture of feelings. On the positive end of the spectrum, maybe you think of a funny and creative ad you’ve seen recently. On the other hand, maybe you think of spam and scams, or a bad experience receiving a product or service that was not-as-advertised. Maybe when you think of marketing, you’re wondering how you can promote yourself better to get your next job. But you probably don’t think of Jesus. Our guest today, Darren Shearer, explores the gospels to discover how Jesus became the most influential person in history. He’ll tell us how applying Jesus’ methods and principles to marketing have helped him in his work. Darren is the founder and CEO of High Bridge Media, and his latest book is Marketing Like Jesus: 25 Strategies to Change the World.

Scripture References

• Matthew 15:22-29
• Colossians 3:23-34
• Luke 7:18-22 
• Matthew 11:2-5
• Mark 5:2-20
• John 2:4
• John 7:6-8
• Psalm 31:14-15

Additional Resources

Marketing Like Jesus: 25 Strategies to Change the World, by Darren Shearer

Personal frustration is part of the job description in most modern workplaces. Many people today find themselves toiling in jobs where the rewards of success often seem elusive. If this is you, this may leave you asking: How long do I have to wait to see success in my work? Our guest today is a film producer who recently found herself asking the question: How long? Mary Beth Minnis is a documentary filmmaker whose producing credits include award-winning films such as Return to Mogadishu, Unforgivable and Tower. In today's conversation we'll talk to Mary Beth Minnis about what it's like to wait, and wait, and wait for success at work, and to ask the question: How long? 

Scripture References

• 2 Corinthians 1:8-9
• Romans 8:28
• Psalm 90:17
  
• Habakkuk 3:16-19

Additional Resources

• Jump Shot Movie: www.jumpshotmovie.com

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/work-success-mary-beth-minnis/

How important are wealth and money to your job, and how important should they be? What insight can the Bible offer for how we approach wealth and money? Our guest today, Roy Goble, has wrestled with these issues throughout his career. He is the CEO of a real estate investment firm in Silicon Valley, and he is the author of the new book, Junkyard Wisdom Rebuilt: Resisting the Whisper of Wealth in a World of Broken Parts.

Scripture References

• Luke 2:22-24
• Matthew 21:12-13
• Galatians 2:10
• 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/biblical-wisdom-for-wealth-money-your-work-roy-goble/

You’ve just said it to your spouse or to your coworker or you yelled into the air above you: There are not enough hours in the day! Your to-do list feels like it’s never ending, and new requests keep coming into your inbox. Meanwhile, your phone is vibrating with alerts, and you have to drive somewhere to pick up something, and you feel like: it’s already halfway through the day and Where has all the time gone? Today, we’re going to talk about getting a handle on your time management, with Jesus. Jordan Raynor is someone who knows a lot about being busy. He is a serial entrepreneur, now the Executive Chairman of Threshold 360, a tech startup which he formerly ran as CEO. Jordan is also an author of a series of books including: Redeeming Your Time, 7 Biblical Principles for Being Purposeful, Present & Wildly Productive.

Scripture References

• Ephesians 5:15-17
• Matthew 5:16
• 1 Corinthians 15:58
• Deuteronomy 6:7
• Matthew 3:17
• Genesis 2:2
• Matthew 4:1-11
• 1 Chronicles 29:12
• 1 Corinthians 15:58
• Romans 5:1
• Ephesians 2:8-10

Donate
This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/bible-jesus-and-time-management-jordan-raynor/

Who does your work serve? Getting to know your audience can help serve them better, as well help you grow in God's love. Guest Patricia Raybon is a professional journalist who has spoken to a wide variety of audiences. Throughout her career, she's published in magazines such as USA Today and Newsweek and delivered critically-acclaimed works of non-fiction. But Patricia has recently learned to communicate in a new way with her first work of fiction, a murder mystery set in 1920s America. Her new book, All That Is Secret, was selected by Parade Magazine as a Mysteries We Love selection for Fall 2021, and by Masterpiece on PBS among Best Mystery Books of 2021 As Recommended by Best-selling Authors. With All That Is Secret, Patricia opens a new phase in her career that hinges on truly getting to know and understand her audience.

Scripture References

• Matthew 15:24
• Matthew 21:28-32

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This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at www.theologyofwork.org/donate

What if something serious is going wrong at your workplace? It's more common than you might think. In more places than you expect, people are lining their pockets with company resources, or misrepresenting key performance indicators to make themselves look better, or even flat out taking bribes. If you suspect fraud in your workplace, what should you do about it? Guest Charles Malgwi faced this nightmare scenario at his supposed dream job. He navigated through a banking system riddled with fraud to become an expert in forensic accounting. Today, he is a professor of accounting, and he recently won the Gregory H Damian Award for excellence in teaching. Scripture References

• Leviticus 6:2-5
• Mark 10:19
• Exodus 20:1-17
• Luke 19:1-10

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Many things may drive you to start your own business. A great idea may prompt you to go into business for yourself, or a unique financial opportunity. Or maybe it’s just the insatiable desire to create something new in the marketplace. But what if it was faith that drove you? What would it mean to be an entrepreneur who is driven by faith?

Guest Henry Kaestner is the author ofFaith Driven Entrepreneur. Henry is a serial entrepreneur with many successes under his belt, including Bandwidth, the telecommunications company he co founded, which counts Google, Microsoft, and Zoom among its clients. He is a managing principal in Sovereign’s Capital, a venture capital management company that invests over $100 million in faith-driven entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia and the US from its offices in Silicon Valley; Washington, DC; and Jakarta, Indonesia.

Henry Kaestner is here today to talk about the blessings and challenges of pursuing entrepreneurship with faith.

Scripture References

• Genesis 2:2
• John 5:17
• Proverbs 16:2
• Proverbs 21:2
• 2 Chronicles
• Revelation 2:4

Additional Resources

Faith Driven Entrepreneur, by Henry Kaestner

Faith Driven Entrepreneur movement: https://www.faithdrivenentrepreneur.org

This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate

You want to think of the workplace as a level playing field, where anyone with grit, determination, and an honest desire to work can succeed. But this is not always the reality, especially if you’re one of the 80 million Americans with some sort of a criminal record. For these people, and for the 1 in 2 Americans who love them, the world of work can come to resemble an impossible labyrinth, filled with dead ends, locked doors, and shortcuts back to prison. Once your life has been touched by incarceration, even when you’re free again, you’re never truly free.

These are the research findings of our guest, Dr. Reuben Jonathan Miller, who is a sociologist at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. Miller’s 15-year study of people leaving the prison system found that those who want most to participate in the working economy are often hampered by policies that restrict their movements, keep them from finding housing and employment, and penalize any family and friends who might help them. Dr. Miller’s new book is, Halfway Home: Race, Punishment and the Afterlife of Mass Incarceration.

Scripture References

• Matthew 25:31-46
• Jeremiah 27:1-15
• Leviticus

Additional Resources 

Halfway Home: Race, Punishment and the Afterlife of Mass Incarceration, by Reuben Jonathan Miller

Donate

This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/barred-from-the-workforce-the-hidden-side-of-life-after-incarceration-rebue/

Relationships with co-workers can make or break your work environment. At work, you’re often thrown in with people who think differently from you, whether that means they come from different cultures, hold different beliefs, or express themselves using different styles of communication. While these differences often improve the end product, they can also cause friction. How do you foster a healthy work culture amidst a diverse team? Is there anything you can do to bring unity out of the chaos of the modern workplace?

Guest Corrie Napier is a mediator, conflict consultant, and international education professional who specializes in helping individuals and organizations navigate conflict and enhance effective communication. She is here to share her experiences of building unity in the workplace, and show us how we can all foster a healthier culture at work.

Scripture References

• Galatians 5:22-23 
• John 16:13
• Matthew 5:9
• Matthew 6:9-13
• Romans 14:17
• Philippians 4:2-3

Additional Resources 

• Pax Napier 
• The Complete Book of Questions: 1001 Conversation Starters for Any Occasion, by Garry Poole  

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This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate

The world of work is changing. For most people, long gone are the days when you could learn a single trade and apply those skills for the rest of your lifetime. The uncertainty of work today may leave you anxious and asking, how can I find meaning in my work? Or more to the point, can I find meaning and make money? Today's guest is the author of the latest how-to for finding meaningful work in a changing world. Dr. Michaela O'Donnell is the Executive Director of The Max De Pree Center for Leadership. Her book, Make Work Matter: Your Guide to Meaningful Work in a Changing World, combines her experience as an entrepreneur with her academic training in practical theology. Today, she's going to help us connect the dots between meaning, work and money. 

Scripture References

• Genesis 1:28
• 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
• Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
• Luke 10:25-37

Additional Resources Referenced

Make Work Matter: Your Guide to Meaningful Work in a Changing World, by Michaela O'Donnell

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute 

Transcript at 

Are you facing a problem in your work that feels like it's too big for you to solve? How do you find hope amidst work that feels overwhelming? Guest Victor Boutros is the CEO and co-founder of the Human Trafficking Institute. Before launching HTI, he served as a federal prosecutor in the US Department of Justice's Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, and trained law enforcement from different parts of the world on how to investigate and prosecute human trafficking. Victor is co-author of The Locust Effect: Why the End of Poverty Requires the End of Violence.

Human Trafficking Institute: https://www.traffickinginstitute.org

Scripture References

• Luke 10:25-37
• John 5:1-9
• Matthew 18:10-14
• John 6:5-13
• Matthew 14:22-33
• Matthew 25:14-30
• Ephesians 2:10
• James 4:14

Instagram: @DePreeCenter, @TheologyOfWork

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate here

Does spiritual development have to be dull? Or can growing with God be more like a game? Our guest today, Xalavier Nelson Junior, is a BAFTA-nominated narrative director and video game developer. He creates video games that communicate spiritual truths in places where they’re perhaps least expected. People playing games such as Hypnospace Outlaw or Can Androids Pray, or any number of the many games Xalavier has worked on, find themselves connecting with their shared humanity and examining the big questions of life, even as they solve puzzles in a futuristic universe inhabited by robots. We talk to Xalavier about how games including his latest release: An Airport for Aliens Currently Run by Dogs, can connect us to God’s truth, and to each other.

An Airport for Aliens Currently Run by Dogs

Scripture References

• Luke 10:25-37
• Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Instagram: @DePreeCenter, @TheologyOfWork

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate here

Where is God when you're putting out a fire at work, or dealing with a difficult co-worker, or trying to make a complicated decision? If you could discern God's guidance and presence in your everyday life and work, what would you ask? Guest Tracy Mathews leads Attune, a ministry that helps leaders and teams grow in their capacity to attune to Jesus in the midst of everyday work. 

Attune to Grow: https://attunetogrow.org

Scripture References

• Matthew 6:25-27 
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Matthew 9:36
• Luke 10:33
• Luke 8:43-46
• Psalm 139:23-24

Instagram: @DePreeCenter, @TheologyOfWork

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate here

Interacting with customers and clients can be stressful. Guest Ron Johnson has worked in customer service call centers for over a decade, both as a frontline customer service representative and as a manager, and he is author of the book Customer Service and the Imitation of Christ. He'll show us how an active relationship with God can get you through the workday fulfilling your calling to serve others in Christ's name.

Scripture References

• Mark 1:40-45
• Leviticus 13:45-46
• Matthew 6:24
• Matthew 5:21-22
• 1 Corinthians 14:1

Additional Resources

Customer Service and the Imitation of Christ, by Ronald Johnson

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute 

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/customer-service-and-the-imitation-of-christ-ron-johnson/

Do you work in a job where you have to win? Whether it comes to landing a new account or getting approved for a grant, sometimes there are clear wins and losses in your work. In this context, how can you face a big loss? How can you stay humble amidst a big win? And how do you cope with the day-to-day stresses when winning or losing feels like everything? Our guest Nate Proctor is a campaign director in the very divisive field of politics and policy. He’s here to talk about his experience of defining success in his work, and what this has meant for his faith.

Scripture References

• Galatians 5:16-26
• 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
  

Additional Resources

• Theology of Work Project: www.theologyofwork.org
• De Pree Center at Fuller Seminary: www.depree.org 
• Instagram follow: @theologyofwork, @depreecenter