Work is Calling

Ally is an energetic, athletic, dynamic individual. Yes, I'm a fan! She’s fun to listen to and to talk with. Her Midwest upbringing didn’t keep her on the farm as she lived in various countries. God’s calling had her take a major turn. She is now lights up the air waves here her vibrant personality as a talk show co-host on radio. She, and the team of her morning show serve to lead people to take their next, and maybe even their first, step with Christ. You’ll want to hear her story.

Tom is a fellow podcaster who has a passionate faith. He has experienced a full spectrum of life experience, both painful and abundantly blessed. These experiences have revealed to him how much he lives in the grace and the promises of God. This realization has shaped how and why Tom pursues his career.  Listen as he weaves God’s word fluidly through the description of his quest to not be simply known as a successful businessperson but also as a loving Christ follower.

Isaac was minding his own business, walking on campus when he was approached by a stranger who wanted to tell him something that would change his life. He listened and his life has been transformed through a relationship with Jesus. His relationship showed him that everything in his life is a stewardship of his skills, talents and resources that now need to be invested with excellence in whatever God wants him to accomplish that day. This fresh, honest discussion will inspire you with its clarity and simplicity.

Shannon has walked a painful path in her young life. Far from discouraging her, it has yielded a strong faith and a desire to step into hurting lives with the hope she herself has experienced through her faith in Jesus. As you listen to her bright, hope filled attitude, you will hear how God has used her own pain to give her the understanding, empathy and desire to bring hope and healing to others. You will be inspired as she describes how her Work is Calling.

KJ has watched his career path take him from flying missions in Afghanistan as a US Marine to being a director at the CS Lewis Institute. All along the way he has recognized the guiding hand of God which has given him great confidence in changing course. He thoroughly enjoys the wit and wisdom of CS Lewis. And like Lewis, KJ loves engaging people about the part of them that no one sees, but what everyone experiences as it defines who they are, their soul. Listen to KJ as he continues to see God guide his footsteps in who he is meets whether it is to learn from, to encourage or to put a spiritual pebble into their life’s shoe.

Hal is a true renaissance man. His career path has taken him through the arts, marketing, branding, managing projects and executive responsibilities. His varied career path led him around the globe not only work here in the US but also to teach marketing and branding at two universities in China. Retired from most of his duties Hal now runs the social media of a kids’ camp and teaches art at a home-school co-op. His fascinating story recounts the way God called and led him on his life’s journey.

Bri is a young, brilliant personality with a heart that is bigger still. Listen to her describe her passion for adventure, people and teaching. Her inspiring story is just beginning, but already extends to people half way around the world in Kazakhstan.  Bri's is a story that seems to say, “Don’t quit! Have faith! Anything and everything is possible.”

Dan, is an energetic, fun loving and focused ministry friend. Our callings crossed on the pastoral team of a suburban church. His career course has brought him to different venues where he expressed his calling. He’s served as a member of different pastoral teams and currently works in business while serving as the lead pastor of a church he launched. Let’s listen in as Dan describes the pursuit of his calling.

Caleb and Laurel are a two career family. They are Work is Calling's first duo interview. Caleb works in the front office of a large Chicago-based, themed restaurant chain. Laurel teaches the sciences to middle-schoolers. Hear how Laurel's heart for Jesus supercharges her heart for her students. And listen how Caleb tries to keep ready for any open door or open heart to share his care for and his faith with colleagues. In addition, they have all the responsibilities of little Caleb, their son.

Arnulfo transports precious cargo. How precious? Arnulfo transports the hopes and dreams of a mother and father in the person of their at risk teen. What began as a job, quickly became a ministry. Arnulfo watched God use the hours of transporting a teen by car and or by plane to a center for help into a time of reflection, hope and healing in God's word. His journey to this calling took him through his own desperate times that led him to Jesus, forgiveness, healing and hope. Listen in and learn more about Arnulfo's amazing calling.

Listen to Tim share his journey to the Lord and how the Lord led him to his unique profession serving as a narrator of spoken word content. His voice brings life, personality and character to the published stories of many authors. Did you just think, “Wait! You mean he gets paid reading books out loud?” Tim would definitely answer, “Yes!” Today he uses his creative abilities to bring voice to academic works. Hmmm? I'd prefer reading biographies.

Craig is a professor/researcher/athlete who hails from Wisconsin. His journey has taken him to Russia as a collegiate wrestler, into health care, researching sports drinks in the corporate world and teaching in academia as a professor of statistics, kinesiology and nutrition. Craig is convinced that his career path has been directed and empowered by God with purpose. Listen in as he takes you on his journey.

Diane is an amazing person of strength, integrity and joy. Despite the adversity of her adult life, she pursued her dreams as a single mom through nursing, teaching at university and now as Dean of Health Sciences at a Midwest university. Learn how prayer, a deep sense of her heavenly Father’s love and leading and living a life with her eyes on Jesus have brought her fulfillment and satisfaction.

I can’t wait for you to hear Bob’s story. His light-hearted and intentional personality is driven by a simple but deep faith conviction that flows into every aspect of his life. Bob will explain how it not only informs his business practices, but in his personal life, it brought him through the unexpected loss of his wife, leaving him a single dad of four young kids. You will be inspired and encouraged to see your life and work as a calling!

You’ll enjoy listening to this true Renaissance-man from Ohio. Brent is an athlete, musician, pastor and marketing entrepreneur. His laugh in infectious, his insights are well thought out and his faith is pursued with a whole heart. The road traveled by Brent flows through life shaping transitions that has led him to seeing his career as a calling of God to the people he serves.

Bob is a serial entrepreneur. He loves starting things and engages his startups with the energy of a hurricane. You'll hear a constant joy in his words. He'll take you on his solo cross-country biking adventures. Listen as he takes us on his journey to discovering the love of Jesus and ultimately viewing his career as a calling. 

Dave’s enthusiasm for following Christ and his desire to encourage other women and men in business ownership and leadership to do the same is infectious. He is a man whose faith seems to flow through all areas of his life with humility and gentleness. Dave is certainly one of the people God used to confirm and establish my calling in faith at work ministry. 

God can redeem the most difficult things in our life in a way that reshapes who we are. Listen in as Steve describes how his personal life led him to see his career in the banking industry as a calling. God has used his daughter’s special needs to reshape his purpose in the workplace into a calling. 

Prepare to be fired up! I can't wait for you to hear Tom talk about his life and career journey. He is one of Chicagoland's more accomplished actors appearing on television, in movies and performing live on stage in epic dramas like, "The Iceman Cometh." His story is one of early calling, falling and back to calling. Listen to Tom describe his love for performing and how it is fueled by a powerful sense that he is doing and being exactly what God created him to be. It is an inspiring and encouraging journey. 

I'd like you to hear my own story as I learned that Work is Calling. I was contently working for Santa in the toy industry, when my world blew up! You'll hear how the tragedy of a workplace shooting, and what seemed to be an innocent question led to a profound impact on my career and honestly, on my whole life. What I discovered transformed my pursuit of success into a quest for accomplishment and fulfillment for myself and those around me. 

There are some people who seem to be able to see over the horizon and are able to make plans and influence people to get there. Don is one of those people. We became friends while I served with The Navigators as the director of the Faith and Work Ministry in Chicago and Don served casting The Navigator's vision and mission on a national level. Don is a clear thinker and communicator who is an asset to those around him. Take a few moments to listen as Don describes his varied career path that seemed to always have God's fingerprints all over it. Maybe you will see God's fingerprints on yours as well?

If you’re like me, you still have traumatic nightmares about attending college. If I had more professors like Bill Ritchie, I’d sleep a lot easier today. When Bill isn’t cranking bolts under the hood of an old sports car, he teaches courses in strategic and supply chain management at James Madison University. Bill is a research bloodhound. You can send him on the scent of some unknown and he’ll create constructs, Pearson correlations, means difference tests, discover influencing factors and compile data analysis to find out what you need to know. Learn how Bill discovered that his world in academia was his calling.

Did you ever wonder if God had a plan for professional hockey players? Meet Alex. Alex played with the Minnesota North Stars and later the Detroit Redwings. Then one day God decided He wanted Alex playing for Him. God took him off the ice and placed him in one of the trading pits in Chicago. There he became an agent for Jesus. But that was just a warmup. God traded Alex, back to the NHL where he serves as chaplain to a number of professional hockey teams in the Midwest. I invite you to hear how God turned hockey and trading into Alex’s calling.

What do you get when you cross a Jewish boy from Brooklyn, with a Jewish boy from Nazareth and one of Santa's elves? You get Elliot Rudell, one of the toy industry's most inventive and prolific creators. With over 160 patents and toys, games and dolls that have found their way under Christmas trees all over the world for decades, Elliot is a wildly creative follower of Jesus. Listen to his story, as he tracks God's love and plan through his career. You might even learn a little Hebrew! Oy vey! 

I'm thrilled that Brandon agreed to share his story with all of us. God orchestrated the ending of his position as the leader of a major convenience market chain to open a door to what has become a national specialty food distribution company that has grown in purpose and size. Learn how his commitment to following Jesus and their company's commitment to serving, not just service, has touched the lives of their employees, clients, vendors and people in need in impoverished parts of the world. I know we'll have to have him back to hear more parts of his story! 

Steph would love to be recording songs in Nashville, but until that happens, she sings on the worship team of her church and serves as an ER and ICU nurse in one of Chicago's cutting edge, teaching hospitals. The story of her commitment to her colleagues is inspiring as she not only cares for those coming through the ER doors but also for other medical staff as they endure the pressures of the current pandemic. You'll enjoy hearing how her Jesus Journey fuels her purpose and meaning. Her Work is Calling! #servant #leader #vocalist #caregiver #inspiring #Jesus #purpose #meaning

Todd Jensen spent years on the trading floor in Chicago. When the MF Global fiasco hit the trading world, Todd felt God calling he and his family to something new. Like the Old Testament Abraham, Todd and his family left the Chicago area and moved to Michigan where they purchased an apple orchard and asparagus farm. God has used that step of faith to transform Todd and his family. You have to hear how his Work is Calling! #leadership #shepherdleadership #farming #trading #Jesus #apples #asparagus #hearGod 

If you're wondering why Work is Calling exists, this will help you understand its genesis and purpose. You will get a glimpse into Wayne's story and how it led him on a journey that integrated faith and work. Wayne is the founder of Soul Priority NFP that coaches women and men how to transform their careers and workplaces through biblical priniples. For more information visit www.soul-priority.org #leadership #faithandwork #Jesus #shepherdleadership #faith #meaning #purpose

Listen to Rene's story of how he began to see his work as a calling and how it has fueled his passion to fight human trafficking. If you want to hear more about Soul Priority visit www.soul-priority.org 

This episode features my long time buddy Bob Picha. When you don't find him under the hood of a beamer he's trying to get going, he's playing jazz at some gig. Bob's story of serving God as a radio engineer in the telecommunications industry is inspiring. His conviction of being an advocate for team members gives us the evidence we need to see how God will work in and through a person, who is willing, in the workplace. #leadership #shepherdleadership #Jesus #calling #meaning #purpose #BMW 

Matthew is one of my newest and youngest friends. God sent him to Work is Calling as our podcast engineer and producer. He has an interesting story that begins in London, England with its newest chapters being written here in the Midwest. Listen to why Matthew views his work in managing the social media of a publishing house as calling! To laern more about Soul Priority, visit www.soul-priority.org