Every Effort Podcast

Michelle Enjoli is a career development coach and keynote speaker who teaches others how to become the CEO of their career and build their personal brand. She has developed content in television broadcasting and marketing for Univision, Telemundo, ABC, NBC and CBS, Mercedes-Benz USA, and Delta Air Lines. Join Matt and Jos as they interview Michelle on the topics of taking ownership of your career, developing your personal brand, building passion for your work, and strategizing through changes. It's a TON of great advice, so listen in!

Rick and Jane McKinney have lived an extraordinary life of ministry. Once described as “mavericks,” they have literally stepped out into the unknown to embrace God’s call and have experienced His presence in a way that only comes through a life of obedience. Whether planting and pastoring churches, traveling the world to perform concerts, building a house in Mexico, traveling from village to village in India, or walking across America (literally), they have followed His voice as He led them forward, one step at a time. Also the authors of "And…so we walked: The Inspirational Story of a Couple's Walk Across America", Rick and Jane share more on the podcast!

Rick and Jane McKinney have lived an extraordinary life of ministry. Once described as “mavericks,” they have literally stepped out into the unknown to embrace God’s call and have experienced His presence in a way that only comes through a life of obedience. Whether planting and pastoring churches, traveling the world to perform concerts, building a house in Mexico, traveling from village to village in India, or walking across America (literally), they have followed His voice as He led them forward, one step at a time. Also the authors of "And…so we walked: The Inspirational Story of a Couple's Walk Across America", Rick and Jane share more on the podcast!

Randy Hain is the founder and president of Serviam Partners and the co-founder of the Leadership Foundry. He is also an executive coach, and the award-winning author of 10 books. This week, Randy joins the show to share his wisdom on living out faith in the workplace and being a servant leader. He shares the important aspects of being an effective leader, discusses the importance of credibility, and describes how to prevent burnout. Join Matt & Jos in learning how to develop your career with faith and purpose.

Randy Hain is the founder and president of Serviam Partners and the co-founder of the Leadership Foundry. He is also an executive coach, and the award-winning author of 10 books. This week, Randy joins the show to share his wisdom on living out faith in the workplace and being a servant leader. He shares the important aspects of being an effective leader, discusses the importance of credibility, and describes how to prevent burnout. Join Matt & Jos in learning how to develop your career with faith and purpose.

Cindy Stewart is a Christian Brain & Mental Health Coach and author of "A Happy, Healthy Mind: A 6-Week Devotional Bible Study on Biblical Mindset". She combines Biblical truth and brain science to help Christians live happy, healthy, blessed lives and has an amazing testimony from depression into transformation. Join Matt and Jos as they interview Coach Cindy on what it means to take your thoughts captive, planning your thoughts, choosing gratitude, and so much more!

Cindy Stewart is a Christian Brain & Mental Health Coach and author of "A Happy, Healthy Mind: A 6-Week Devotional Bible Study on Biblical Mindset." She combines Biblical truth and brain science to help Christians live happy, healthy, blessed lives and has an amazing testimony from depression into transformation. Join Matt and Jos as they interview Coach Cindy on what it means to take your thoughts captive, planning your thoughts, choosing gratitude, and so much more!

Ever wonder why your friendships aren't as deep as you want them to be? Matt and Jos share encouraging tips for how to grow in your Christian community - the right way. They share how to keep your friends close during your life changes, whether you are dating, changing jobs, or maybe deciding to buy a speed boat! Don't miss out on how you can improve your friendships!

Ever wonder why your friendships aren't as deep as you want them to be? Matt and Jos share encouraging tips for how to grow in your Christian community - the right way. They share how to keep your friends close during your life changes, whether you are dating, changing jobs, or maybe deciding to buy a speed boat! Don't miss out on how you can improve your friendships!

Is the secret to better health found in…our gut? Maybe health is more wholistic than we ever thought! This week, Dr. Noelle Patno joins Matt & Jos to share her deep knowledge of gut health. In this episode, Noelle breaks down how the gut really functions, the impact of our lifestyle choices on our overall health, and even how our gut health impacts our physical and mental health. If you want to be healthier in 2024, you won't want to miss these tips for better physical and mental health. Noelle also shares her inspiring story of how God used her battle with cancer for His purpose, bringing her into the world of gut health to help people live healthier lives. Listen in to be amazed by how God moves through science & nutrition.

Is the secret to better health found in…our gut? Maybe health is more wholistic than we ever thought! This week, Dr. Noelle Patno joins Matt & Jos to share her deep knowledge of gut health. In this episode, Noelle breaks down how the gut really functions, the impact of our lifestyle choices on our overall health, and even how our gut health impacts our physical and mental health. If you want to be healthier in 2024, you won't want to miss these tips for better physical and mental health. Noelle also shares her inspiring story of how God used her battle with cancer for His purpose, bringing her into the world of gut health to help people live healthier lives. Listen in to be amazed by how God moves through science & nutrition.

Ever wondered why you can't get through to people? Like why you can't convince your friend NOT to get that huge dragon tattoo on their calf? Maybe you aren't being persuasive enough! Jeff Bogaczyk holds a PhD in Rhetoric and is an expert on effective persuasion, organizational communication, and on how to have difficult conversations with people. You don't want to miss these episodes because they could impact your career trajectory and relationship success! Join Matt and Jos to learn how to persuade others to do what you want (in the best way, of course)!

Ever wondered why you can't get through to people? Like why you can't convince your friend NOT to get that huge dragon tattoo on their calf? Maybe you aren't being persuasive enough! Jeff Bogaczyk holds a PhD in Rhetoric and is an expert on effective persuasion, organizational communication, and on how to have difficult conversations with people. You don't want to miss these episodes because they could impact your career trajectory and relationship success! Join Matt and Jos to learn how to persuade others to do what you want (in the best way, of course)!

Are you struggling to find direction in your life because of your past? With over thirty years of experience in clinical practice, Dr. Mark McNear focuses on helping those who have had trauma, abuse, and addiction by sharing the hope of healing that he has realized in his own life. This episode series, Mark shares his personal story of trauma and how God ultimately used it for good to impact others. He also shares the meaning behind the title of his new book, Finding My Words: A Ruthless Commitment to Healing Gently After Trauma, while answering other questions about what young adults typically struggle with and how we all can better navigate our lives psychologically.

Are you struggling to find direction in your life because of your past? With over thirty years of experience in clinical practice, Dr. Mark McNear focuses on helping those who have had trauma, abuse, and addiction by sharing the hope of healing that he has realized in his own life. This episode series, Mark shares his personal story of trauma and how God ultimately used it for good to impact others. He also shares the meaning behind the title of his new book, Finding My Words: A Ruthless Commitment to Healing Gently After Trauma, while answering other questions about what young adults typically struggle with and how we all can better navigate our lives psychologically.

The last place you want to be is in a dead-end job you hate because it sucks the life out of you. If only there was a way to avoid such an outcome… Well there is! Jeannie Burlowski holds decades of experience as an academic strategist who has helped students and adults alike determine their career goals and how to get there efficiently (and affordably!). From her wealth of knowledge from her book, LAUNCH: How to Get Your Kids Through College Debt-Free and Into Jobs They Love Afterward, Jeannie shares her biggest tips for transforming your job trajectory from bland to passionate! She stresses the importance of understanding yourself and your life data in order to aim accurately for the bullseye of life that is your career. Join Matt and Jos for Part 2 of the discussion!

The last place you want to be is in a dead-end job you hate because it sucks the life out of you. If only there was a way to avoid such an outcome… Well there is! Jeannie Burlowski holds decades of experience as an academic strategist who has helped students and adults alike determine their career goals and how to get there efficiently (and affordably!). From her wealth of knowledge from her book, LAUNCH: How to Get Your Kids Through College Debt-Free and Into Jobs They Love Afterward, Jeannie shares her biggest tips for transforming your job trajectory from bland to passionate! She stresses the importance of understanding yourself and your life data in order to aim accurately for the bullseye of life that is your career. Join Matt and Jos for Part 1 of the discussion!

This week, Matt & Jos take time to reflect on 2023 and share some fun, light-hearted debate over unpopular opinions. Thank you for all your support this year!

How can we as Christians heal from trauma and better support one another through suffering? This week, Matt talks to Christian counselor and former law enforcement officer Norm Wielsch about his journey through addiction, recovery, and ministry. This episode will encourage you in your faith, inspire you to see the purpose God has for your pain, and equip you to better support and love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Don't miss out! Listen to Part 2 now.

How can we as Christians heal from trauma and better support one another through suffering? This week, Matt talks to Christian counselor and former law enforcement officer Norm Wielsch about his journey through addiction, recovery, and ministry. This episode will encourage you in your faith, inspire you to see the purpose God has for your pain, and equip you to better support and love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Don't miss out! Listen to Part 1 now.

What happens when three computer scientists try to find their way into heaven? Ganesh Venkataramanan, a software company executive, former atheist, and knowledgeable engineer, has the answer! Ganesh is author to the best-selling book, Let Me Into Heaven: Three Computer Scientists Find Their Way to Life. Matt and Jos interview Ganesh on the science and engineering of the universe and why it all stands as PROOF of the Bible and who God is. They also ask if sports exist in heaven, because that's important to know too. Listen to Part 2 now!

What happens when three computer scientists try to find their way into heaven? Ganesh Venkataramanan, a software company executive, former atheist, and knowledgeable engineer, has the answer! Ganesh is author to the best-selling book, Let Me Into Heaven: Three Computer Scientists Find Their Way to Life. Matt and Jos interview Ganesh on the science and engineering of the universe and why it all stands as PROOF of the Bible and who God is. They also ask if sports exist in heaven, because that's important to know too. Listen to Part 1 now!

Have you ever considered proactively finding your life purpose? At Brushfires Ministry, you can! With so many personality and work style assessments, you can learn about what you love and what you dislike, all with your Christian faith in mind! This week, Matt and Jos delve into their individual assessment results with John "JR" Rennie, the founder of Brushfires Ministry, to get one step closer to their purposes in life. Finding out what God has planned for you means putting yourself out there, doing the work, and seeing the results. Check out part 2 now! 

Have you ever considered proactively finding your life purpose? At Brushfires Ministry, you can! With so many personality and work style assessments, you can learn about what you love and what you dislike, all with your Christian faith in mind! This week, Matt and Jos delve into their individual assessment results with John "JR" Rennie, the founder of Brushfires Ministry, to get one step closer to their purposes in life. Finding out what God has planned for you means putting yourself out there, doing the work, and seeing the results. Check out part 1 now! 

Dysfunctional leaders, coercive tactics, and misconstrued Bible verses?! Peter Young, former sports broadcaster and cult survivor, is author of Stop the Tall Man, Save the Tiger, the story of his experience being brainwashed by "Uncle Robert." This episode, Peter shares how he ended up in a cult, how he realized it was a cult, how he got out, and what he's doing now. What, exactly, are the warning signs of a cult and how do we know if we are in one? Listen in to Part 2.

Dysfunctional leaders, coercive tactics, and misconstrued Bible verses?! Peter Young, former sports broadcaster and cult survivor, is author of Stop the Tall Man, Save the Tiger, the story of his experience being brainwashed by "Uncle Robert." This episode, Peter shares how he ended up in a cult, how he realized it was a cult, how he got out, and what he's doing now. What, exactly, are the warning signs of a cult and how do we know if we are in one? Listen in to Part 1.

Paige C. Clark is a career GURU. As a self-proclaimed professional multi-tasker, Paige knows what it means to work hard IN the world without being OF the world. She gleans wisdom and insight from the everyday people she regularly interviews on her podcast, 9 to 5 Faith. Matt, Jos, and Paige are talking about what it's like being a career Christian, balancing work-life (if there is such a thing), getting rest from work, and breaking cultural expectations. Does your dream job exist and is it worth pursing? Listen in to Part 2.

Paige C. Clark is a career GURU. As a self-proclaimed professional multi-tasker, Paige knows what it means to work hard IN the world without being OF the world. She gleans wisdom and insight from the everyday people she regularly interviews on her podcast, 9 to 5 Faith. Matt, Jos, and Paige are talking about what it's like being a career Christian, balancing work-life (if there is such a thing), getting rest from work, and breaking cultural expectations. Does your dream job exist and is it worth pursing? Listen in to Part 1.

Get to know Matt + Jos in this second episode about how they met!

Get to know Matt + Jos in this first episode about how they met!

This week, Matt and Jos host caller Eddie to discuss his struggles balancing work, money, and relationships. How does one manage all three together? They say the twenties is the time to work HARD and save up money to invest in your future. But are friendships supposed to be a part of your investment portfolio? Listen in to this episode for your encouragement to go out there, find friendships, and build them. Seriously, though, why is this so much harder than it sounds?

Welcome, Mari Ramsey! - A passionate, selfless, and musical dude with a story from foster care to ministry. Mari shares his experience in foster care and how it helped shape his passion for Jesus and youth ministry. Staying faithful to God even in moments of doubt, learning to trust Him, and accepting help from others are all part of his story. Mari touches on how he is daily motivated with LOVE, and how it should be the primary driving force in all our lives as Christians. No matter your background, God can use it all, so listen in!

Matt and Jos talk about the stress and struggles many people experience with finances, particularly related to debt and the societal pressure to appear financially successful (on the outside, at least). They share various statistics, such as the high percentage of Americans struggling to pay bills, the prevalence of credit card debt, and the percentage of people leasing their luxury cars. How do you find contentment despite the external pressure to buy more and more? Listen to this episode as Matt and Jos break down the TRUTH about finances and the KEY to financial happiness as a young adult. Stop comparing and start living!

When looking for a purpose or life partner as a Christian, finding someone who shares your values and is committed to growing and building a strong, Christ-centered relationship is a must. This episode, Matt, Jos, and caller guest Dee Montanez discuss some of the many challenges of dating in today's culture, such as the importance of being intentional and vulnerable in relationships and the difficulty of finding a partner with similar values and beliefs. Dee shares how she regularly finds herself dating "projects" and asks how she can find someone who is on a similar path and mindset as her. What about online dating? Deal breakers? And finding spiritual community during one's search? Listen in to Every Effort's first ever Caller Q&A episode to hear about it all.

Matt and Jos dive into the themes of honesty, trust, and work ethics in career and life. They explore the challenges of discerning honesty and avoiding scams, especially as young individuals entering the professional world. What is the balance between quantity and quality of your work? What do we make of micromanagement or the role of open communication in maintaining integrity? The work you do should align with your personal values and faith, so Matt and Jos provide insight into looking past facades and recognizing genuine value in products and services. Listen to this episode if you want guidance for approaching your work with integrity and bonus: you might even be saved from a scam or two.

In this episode, Matt and Jos have the pleasure of hosting Jamie, an influencer and social media manager with a passion for encouraging and sharing HOPE. She opens up about her personal journey, overcoming an eating disorder and anxiety, all while figuring out where exactly God wanted her to be (literally!). Jamie shares how her love for travel played a crucial role in her recovery and helped her rediscover herself. She discusses how she felt God's guidance and presence during her solo trips, and how those experiences shaped her life positively.

How DO you discern when God is calling us somewhere? Jamie, Matt, and Jos narrate their life decisions moving to different places and share how they surrendered to God's plan and ultimately trusted in His faithfulness. Join in on this insightful and uplifting conversation!

Matt and Jos share their reactions to watching the documentary, The Secrets of Hillsong, which exposes the scandals and harmful practices within the Hillsong church. They discuss the treatment of individuals who were removed from leadership positions due to addiction and infidelity, questioning the type of support they were provided prior to being cast out. Also delving into the idea of neglected volunteers, Matt and Jos ask if a toxic culture of volunteerism can exist within a church. How does church life turn into excessiveness and burnout?

Churches built on a hierarchical structure have potential to build strength and power, but is it worth it? How does the vision of the church impact our own motivation and our spiritual walks?

What is equality and what is equity? As Christians, is there a difference? Were either demonstrated at all by Jesus? In this episode, Matt and Jos unpack the recent Supreme Court ruling that affirmative action is unconstitutional, examining its impact on college admissions and how we view people different from us. Challenging the belief that a college degree is the only foundation to success, Matt and Jos share why an applicant's story should be considered a factor more significant than their skin color. How does this major court decision impact us as Christians and as a society? Listen in.

Do churches need to adapt and become more relatable to younger generations? This week, Matt and Jos discuss the influence of Gen Z on church culture. They highlight the growing diversity, acceptance, and education within this generation and how it can positively impact young adult ministries. Gen Z may be just what the church needs to broaden its creativity and deliver content relatable to all generations. Matt and Jos also share their personal experiences in finding a young adult community within the church and how important it is for churches to invest in the younger generations.

Matt and Jos discuss the recent OceanGate submarine tragedy, highlighting its emotional toll and the challenge of coping with such negative news. From the role of humor as a coping mechanism to the importance of compassion, Matt and Jos cover various topics that arose out of this historical event. What do we do in the midst of tragedy that does not directly involve us? How can we balance the bad in the world with the good? This episode offers perspective for tragic events in general, emphasizing compassion, empathy, and especially the need for responsible media consumption.

Often in life, we have to start from the bottom again, and again.

Join Matt and Jos as they delve into a common dilemma faced after achieving significant milestones in life. Whether it's graduating, starting a new job, getting married, or reaching personal goals, the immediate question that arises is, "What's next?"

How do we find a renewed sense of hope as the foundation for navigating the next chapter of life? Discover how to embrace the journey ahead in this week's episode.

This week, Matt and Jos delve into the intriguing world of fashion and self-expression. Is fashion inherently good or evil? How should Christians approach fashion and its representation? Matt and Jos talk about fashion on an ethical level, acknowledging that while some aspects may be objectifying or dark, fashion as an art form may also be an outlet for creative expression. 

Join this thought-provoking episode to navigate the intricate relationship between fashion, identity, and cultural influences, to understand how to navigate the world of fashion as Christians.

Tired of the constant pressure to be self-employed and self-sufficient? Wondering why this ideal is so frustrating? Join Matt and Jos as they dive into the intricacies of working for someone else versus working "for yourself." In this episode, they unravel the myths surrounding being your own boss and explore whether one path truly holds more value than the other. Gain insights and a fresh perspective on the complex relationship between work, freedom, and fulfillment.

Have you ever thought about what "conforming to the patterns of the world" actually looks like? This week, Matt and Jos use the Milgram Experiment as an example of how conformity is truly all around you and explain what you can do to build habits that are thoughtful, intentional, and based on who you really are, not what others around you expect you to be.

Matt and Jos share their California Dreamin' dreams while discussing what it means to be a Christian who dreams. Having dreams isn't just for sleep and it's definitely not just for the people in the Bible. God wants YOU to have HUGE dreams that are unique from anyone else's. If you've struggled to find your life's purpose and what dreams you should be pursuing, this episode is for you, because you're not alone!

SIDE NOTE: You do not need to be dreamin' in California for this to apply to you.

This week, Matt and Jos talk SELF-WORTH and how to not have your life crumble into the burning flames of self-doubt. What does culture get wrong about self-worth and what can we do to avoid the lies? Nowhere in the Bible is self-worth talked about or quoted, but we can still find the answers we need to improve our view of ourselves. Let's get real and listen in!

Being reasonable can mean one of two things: that you're a negotiable person or that your decisions and choices are justified. In this episode, Matt and Jos discuss both meanings of the word and whether God fits into its definitions. Whatever you're praying about, thinking about praying about, or haven't even thought about praying about, this episode is about a unique way to approach your faith, in light of knowing we have a God who can reason with us.

Have you heard about the Southern Baptist Convention kicking churches out of its organization for having female pastors? Matt and Jos share their church's decision to accept removal from one of the biggest Christian denominations and their own thoughts on the issue. What happens when churches don't agree and how do we reason through decisions made on varying interpretations of the Bible?