What role can prayer play in an organization? When it comes to leadership how might we implement prayer as a key practice?

In today's episode, we share the stage with our sibling podcast Teach Us To Pray hosted by Jeff Hoffmeyer, Denver Institute's VP of Advancement. For this conversation focused on prayer at an organizational level Jeff interviews Peter Greer, President & CEO of HOPE International about his newly released co-authored book Lead with Prayer: The Spiritual Habits of World-Changing Leaders.

Resources: 

Download the episode transcript.

If you enjoyed this conversation buy the book Lead with Prayer: The Spiritual Habits of World-Changing Leaders.

Looking for even more resources on how to implement some of these prayer practices in your life? Check out the Lead with Prayer website.

The Faith & Work Podcast continues with the feature of our new podcast Teach Us To Pray! Listen in to episode 2, as we take a deeper look at this familiar verse of Psalm 23:1 - "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing."

Does faith have a place in corporate life? For some, this question can be one of tension, anxiety, or uncertainty. In today's conversation, we hear from Craig Carter, who worked in financial systems and analytics at Intel for 25 years and played an instrumental role in establishing faith-based employee resource groups within the corporation. Listen in as Craig shares about how growing numbers of corporations are inviting employees to express their religious identity at work through faith-centric ERGs and the next steps you could take to bring one to your organization.

Anne Snyder joins Joanna and Dustin to talk about her work on character, hospitality, and the unique traits that women bring to their homes, communities, and workplaces. They also tackle the challenges of living in a hyper-partisan moment and a divided political landscape.

How do songwriters lean into faith in their work? What unique challenges has this year brought to musicians, and how can Christians reclaim the joy of corporate worship, even while we're apart? Joanna and Dustin talk with recording artist Sandra McCracken about the intersection of faith and songwriting, her latest album, and the hope of Christmas.

This week the Faith & Work Podcast continues its three-part series on the topic of leadership for today's challenges. In this episode, we interview Stephanie Summers, the CEO of the Center for Public Justice, a nonpartisan Christian think tank engaged in public policy development and civic education. Stephanie also serves as a Trustee of Eastern University, where she received her M.S. in Nonprofit Management, and is a recipient of the inaugural Duke Divinity Reflective Leadership Award.

Denver Institute has launched into its next season under the leadership of CEO, Ross Chapman. In this episode of The Faith & Work Podcast, we kick off a 3 part series titled "What's Next for Denver Institute?" Hear more about how we narrowed in on our new vision and mission statements; and what this next season could mean for you.

How does the Christian faith inform gender roles, specifically, how women integrate their various callings and influence in the world? Listen in as Joanna Meyer and Beth Allison Barr, Associate Professor of History and Associate Dean of the Graduate School at Baylor University, discuss her book, "The Making of Biblical Womanhood".

As Christians how do we deal with disappointment in our work? How can communicating expectations clearly and asking the right questions of our organization help us navigate discouraging moments? In this episode, Joanna Meyer talks with Jeff Hoffmeyer, vice president of advancement at Denver Institute, and Lisa Slayton, founder of Tamim Partners, about the challenges and wisdom they have gleaned from persevering through workplace disappointments.

Since the legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado in 2012, it has become a common part of life in the Denver metro area. As Christians in this cultural context some questions that arise include 'It may be legal, but is it acceptable to use pot recreationally?' or 'What about work in the marijuana industry?' In this episode, Joanna Meyer and Brian Gray interview Dave Morlan, co-founder and teaching pastor at Fellowship Denver Church, about work and faith in the gray areas.

The Faith & Work Podcast is taking a quick pause from our Virtue & Vice series to introduce you to a new face on staff. We are excited to share this episode in which we hear from and learn more about Denver Institute's new CEO, Ross Chapman. Listen in as Joanna Meyer and Brian Gray talk with Ross about his interests, family, and professional history.

St. Augustine referred to "the scattered self," and Christians today report feeling fragmented, busy, and overwhelmed. Chuck DeGroat, Professor of Counseling and Christian Spirituality at Western Theological Seminary, believes the antidote to fragmentation is "wholeheartedness," a return to our union and communion with God. Chuck and the team discuss ways to move from fragmentation to wholeheartedness on this episode of The Faith & Work Podcast.

The primary tool shepherds use to lead their sheep is their voice. How does God use his voice to lead us? Where does God lead us to find “green pastures and still waters”? Turns out God often uses his voice to lead us into (not away from) difficulty and brokenness and injustice.

Summer is a great time to rest, enjoy the nice weather, and listen to your favorite podcasts. Tune into the Faith & Work Podcast as we kick off a four-part summer series featuring some of our best content filled with practical takeaways and great insights.

For our third encore episode this summer, we explore key questions about calling. How do we discover our calling? What's the difference between our occupation and our vocation? Can they even be the same thing?

This interview was recorded at one of Denver Institute's earliest events where author, educator, and organizational leader Steven Garber, joins us to talk about a broader vision for vocation.

Highlights

On exploring my calling:

"This question of 'my calling before God and service to the world' has to be marked by a deep honest sense of humility."

On vocation and occupation:

"I make a distinction between vocation and occupation: vocation is the deeper, longer word that makes sense of your life and mine. It's the deeper reality. It's the deeper story that makes sense of who you are, that makes sense of why you are different than your brother and your father and your best friend and your wife and your neighbor...Occupation is a word that gets at what I do day-by-day." 

On the tension of work:

"Everybody, everywhere has some sense of tension between what I think I was meant to do, what I really want to do, and what I have to do."

Resources

Download the episode transcript.

Denver Institute's FREE Downloadable Resource - “A Study On Calling”

More by Steve Garber:

Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good 

The Seamless Life: A Tapestry of Love and Learning, Worship and Work

When does work become an idol? How do you know when something has crossed the line from a good thing into the territory of a "God thing?" In this episode of The Faith & Work Podcast, we interview Lauren Gill, writer, actress, and Director of the Global Faith & Work Initiative at Redeemer City to City, on these very questions concerning matters of the heart. Lauren is also the co-author and general editor of the recent book, The Missional Disciple: Pursuing Mercy and Justice at Work.

The Faith & Work Podcast is continuing with its series of Virtue and Vice at Work. In this week's episode, Joanna Meyer discusses the virtue of justice with Helen Young Hayes, author and executive sponsor of the Colorado Inclusive Economy Movement, a CEO-led movement using business to build equity and economic opportunity through job creation. Listen in as they discuss justice at work in the areas of business, employee hiring practices, and the economy.

Faith and the arts have a complicated relationship. While the historic Church often served as patrons for painters, musicians, and sculptors, artists today often feel alienated from faith communities. How can artists integrate their faith and work, even when their work isn't explicitly "Christian?" Cam Anderson, author of The Faithful Artist, joins us to talk about the ways the church can recognize and support the work of artists.

How can the subject of math be a source of human flourishing? Find out as we interview Francis Su, PhD, Benediktsson-Karwa Professor of Mathematics. Francis Su writes about the dignity of human beings and the wonder of mathematical teaching. He is a Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College and a former president of the Mathematical Association of America.

His work has been featured in Quanta Magazine, Wired, and the New York Times. His book Mathematics for Human Flourishing, winner of the 2021 Euler Book Prize, offers an inclusive vision of what math is, who it's for, and why anyone should learn it.

Summer is a great time to rest, enjoy the nice weather, and listen to your favorite podcasts. Tune into the Faith & Work Podcast as we kick off a four-part summer series. In these episodes we will be featuring some of our best content filled with practical takeaways and great insights.

For our second conversation we hear from scholar and nonprofit leader Amy Sherman. Amy is a senior fellow at the Sagamore Institute, where she directs the Center for Faith in Communities. She is also the author of the book Agents of Flourishing: Pursuing Shalom in Every Corner of Society.

Ben Nussbaum, VP of Sales at OnCenter and associate director of Faith & Work Chicago, opens up about what it’s really like to stay true to your faith in the ups and downs of a sales career. He talks about the struggle of selling products he wasn’t fully behind and how he found a way to align his sales approach with his Christian beliefs. Ben also shares how practicing spiritual disciplines like prayer helps him stay grounded in the high-pressure world of meeting a quota and encourages leaders to create workplaces that honor the dignity of every employee. His approach to serving clients with integrity, even when it’s tough, is an inspiring model for Christians in any business role.

On finding stability:

“That is the daily reality they live in. Either the highs are high and I think I'm awesome, or the lows are low and I think I suck. It's very hard to find equilibrium or middle ground as a disciple. And that's acually why I think the gospel is such a balm for the salesperson.”

On faith in work:

“What Christ has to say to us when he says, 'blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth,' that has to mean something for the way we send emails, the way we do someone's taxes, the way that we defend someone in court, the way that we script a cold call. Whatever it is, right? It's our responsibility. This is what it means to be image bearers to live out that reality or that story."

On failure:

"You failed. You had a crappy performance review. You didn't hit your Q3 quota, like I don't know what it is. Christ takes the failures and those who have lost much and makes something wonderful out of them. So you know, every time I miss a quota or don't hit a deadline or I didn't measure up in my job, I'm reminded that God chose what is weak to shame the strong. It is the power of God that's made perfect in my weakness. So, be weak. Be comfortable with losing. It might mean that God is ready to use you."

Download the episode transcript.

• Follow Ben Nussbaum on LinkedIn

• Learn more from Faith & Work Chicago

• “Be comforted, small one, in your smallness. He lays no merit on you. Receive and be glad.” - CS Lewis, The Space Trilogy

• A Community of Hope in a World of Rage – Sermon – Ray Ortlund

• Praxis Labs Redemptive Entrepreneurship Model

Do you like The Faith & Work Podcast? See more great resources at Denver Institute for Faith & Work or find us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn @denverinstitute 

When you think about your purpose do you think about the role your work plays? Are individuals limited to a singular purpose in life? Listen in as The Faith & Work Podcast interviews Jon Coleman author of the book Crafting Your Purpose and Managing Partner at Sovereign’s Capital, a faith-driven investing company. In this episode, we discuss some of Jon's findings on the topic of purpose and the unique perspective our Christian faith brings to the table. 

Can you imagine a world in which we worked to renew, rather than reform, healthcare? Where doctors are called to the practice and believe in truly caring for their patient rather than the correct billing codes? Abraham Nussbaum, a Behavioral Health Specialist at Denver Health wants to bring about a renewal of medicine to truly pair faith and work. 

Does the church have a role to play in responding to the national opioid crisis? And how can Christians in healthcare serve their patients as an expression of their faith? Brett McCarty, professor of theological ethics at Duke Divinity School, talks about the integration of faith and medicine and his research on the opioid crisis.

Kevin Colón, Communications and Community Engagement lead for the Town of Superior, played a crucial role during the devastating 2021 Marshall Fire. As flames tore through neighborhoods, he became a steady voice and guide for a community in crisis. Join us as we reflect on the shocking destruction in LA, where wind-whipped fire caused an estimated $2 billion in damage, and explore how to lead through workplace tragedies with faith and resilience. In times of crisis, leaders can be a beacon of hope—and Kevin will share the powerful lessons God taught him during his tenure in Superior.

HIGHLIGHTS

On Leading Through Crisis:

"...it wasn't so much pastoral presence, but just regular everyday disciple presence that was able to activate the pastoral presence once the disaster hit. So it's just that everyday faithfulness [...] kind of led to that space of being able to be a pastoral presence when the time came for it to be. But it really, you know, again, what I was doing as a person moving into that space is everything that Jesus, you know, kind of taught us to do, you know, to love Him and to love our neighbor. I'm really glad He made it that simple. Obviously very nuanced and very textured, those two big relationships that we're in. [...] And again, it was that kind of presence every day and that kind of movement every day that fueled and activated everything that I did. Some days it was totally in my wheelhouse knowing how to love my neighbor because I knew how to do it. Some days I was completely out of my depths and I had to rely again on God to teach me new ways of loving people, new ways of engaging people."

On trust:

"You're either building trust or eroding trust. And especially in this climate that we're in, everybody's skeptical, everybody's cynical. And the way we build that in a work setting is all those basic things, right? It's your work ethic and your attitude and how you handle conflict and how you jump in to unexpected assignments when they're not in your job description and how you treat constituents and residents through email and phone and online."

RESOURCES

• Download the episode transcript
• EquiSage

Faithful leadership calls for many things over the course of a day, the course of a week, and the course of a year. What might it look like for men and women to be resilient leaders through seasons of change? Join Joanna Meyer and Jeff Hoffmeyer as they talk with Tod Bolsinger, founder and principal of AE Sloan Leadership, a consulting and executive coaching firm, as they discuss leadership and his most recent book, "Tempered Resilience: How Leaders Are Formed in the Crucible of Change".

As we start the new year, it can be easy to get wrapped up in setting new goals and intentions, implementing life hacks, and recording plans for all you can accomplish this coming year. But how might we begin to reflect on our relationship with productivity in a world where we are rewarded for our non-stop activity? And what does scripture teach us about what it means to be productive? Join Joanna Meyer, Abby Worland, and Brian Gray as they discuss what they have learned about this topic and share some of their practical advice.

What does it mean to be shrewd? Does the Bible really tell us to work in this way? In this episode, we discuss Luke 16 The Parable of the Shrewd Manager, and learn more about how this quality can inform our work. Listen in as we hear from guest speaker and longtime friend of Denver Institute, Dr. Ryan Tafilowski. Ryan currently serves as assistant professor of theology and chair of the Theology Department at Denver Seminary and pastors Foothills Fellowship Church in Littleton, CO.

Resources: 

Download the episode transcript.

Business for the Common Good Tickets are on sale now! Join us on Friday, March 8 at Hyatt Regency DTC (Please note, this year's event is in-person only)

Book Sale! Our publisher InterVarsity Press is offering 3 of Denver Institute's recent books for 25% off the cover price with free economy shipping through January 31st. Visit the website HERE and use coupon code: IVPWORK

Featured titles are:

• Faithful Work: In the Daily Grind with God and For Others by Ross Chapman and Ryan Tafilowski

• Women, Work, & Calling: Step into Your Place in God's World by Joanna Meyer

• Working from the Inside Out: A Brief Guide to the Inner Work that Transforms Our Outer World by Jeff Haanen

Summary

Highlights

Resources

What do Christians mean when they talk about "calling"? How do we discern what ours is and how do we implement it into our lives? In today's conversation, Joanna and Brian talk with Dr. Bryan Dik, a vocational psychologist, and professor of psychology at Colorado State University, on how to discern our callings through spiritual practices and practical exercises. 

The Faith & Work Podcast is excited to announce that our podcast family is growing! Join us in welcoming the newest edition: Teach Us To Pray - hosted by Jeff Hoffmeyer Denver Institute's Vice President of Advancement. This new podcast will focus on the practice of prayer through scripture as a primary way to know, trust, and rest in God, through our daily work and life. Teach Us To Pray will release weekly on Mondays with episodes ranging from 7min - 10min. Listen in as we discuss the launch of this podcast and hear the first episode today!

In this episode of The Faith & Work Podcast, we wrap up our 3 part series with "What's Next: Life for Cities." In this episode, Ross Chapman and Brian Gray interview old friend, Dave Runyon, Executive Director of CityUnite. Listen in as they discuss some practical ways Christians can be for their city, through their work.

Belonging is the central orientation of a sheep to the shepherd and of our lives with God. No matter how far we have wandered, God goes after us, bringing us back, and invites us to offer belonging to others.

What does it look like to lead from a place of wholeness? How can we work toward emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual integration, and why is integration important for leaders? Hear from Lisa Slayton, CEO of Tamim Partners, and David Park, partner at Greenwood Hospitality Group, as they lead us through a discussion on wholehearted leadership.

What can Scripture teach us about the power of storytelling? How can leaders be resilient through tough times? What unique challenges do female leaders face in their organizations and communities? Joanna talks with Nancy Duarte about her role as a leader, a communicator, and a Christian.

How should Christians leverage their voices and influence in public life? Can we use social media without being jerks on Twitter? Dustin talks with a panel of media and communications experts to explore the challenges of life and work in the public square.

What does it look like to live a life of generosity? What are some simple ways to make your investments have a lasting and powerful impact on the world?

Listen in as we hear from Eric Most, President of the National Christian Foundation Rocky Mountains and a current Denver Institute board member. In this episode, Eric Most outlines some common giving "mistakes" and provides helpful, practical steps to better steward the resources God has entrusted to us.

Dr. Hannah Stolze, a supply chain expert and author of Wisdom-Based Business, explores the biblical themes of valor (chayil) and mercy (hesed) in leadership and work. In this episode, host Joanna Meyer shares Hannah’s keynote from Women Work and Calling 2023, highlighting how wisdom in Proverbs and Ruth shapes ethical and impactful business practices. Hannah challenges listeners to consider: What is the war hymn of your work? Tune in for insights on integrating faith, excellence, and compassion in your daily work. 

Do you like The Faith & Work Podcast? Be sure to subscribe! Now available on iTunes and Spotify.

HIGHLIGHTS

On a Renewed Vision of Work:

"What is the war hymn of your work? In small ways or big ways, what is the redemption story when you go out Monday through Friday? Who will encounter the love of God as a result of your work?"

 On a Proverbs 31 Woman:

"Rather than reading Proverbs 31 as a checklist for women, we should be reading it as Lady Wisdom herself personified in the marketplace—with valor, with might, with fearlessness as she laughs at the future, but with kindness as she reaches out with the profits of her work."

RESOURCES

• Download the episode transcript
• Save the Date for Women Work and Calling 2025 on November 7th! Check out more at womenworkandcalling.com

What is "soul care," and how can we be intentional about it? What does soul care look like in a season of stress, fatigue, and uncertainty? Joanna talks with Mindy Caliguire, founder of Soul Care and director of personal growth at Gloo, about how our work creates space for God.

What does it mean to redeem your time and why is it important? As Christians how can we learn from and lean into the biblical principles of productivity? Join Joanna Meyer and Dustin Moody as they discuss these themes with bestselling author and serial entrepreneur, Jordan Raynor. 

When Jesus tells us to "love our neighbors," who does he include? And what does loving them look like? Dustin talks with author and podcast host Alex Kuykendall about her latest book, "Loving My Actual Neighbor."

What would the world look like if more workers were fully engaged? In this episode of The Faith & Work Podcast, we hear from two members of the Denver Institute staff Ross Chapman, CEO, and Jeff Hoffmeyer, VP of Advancement, as they review and discuss the findings of the "State of the Global Workplace Report" for 2023 that was done by GALLUP.

Some of the top findings include:

1. The majority of the world's employees are quiet quitting.
2. Employee stress remained at a record high.
3. Engagement matters more than where workers work.

Artificial Intelligence is inescapable in todays workforce and is impacting both the marketplace and the church in significant ways.

We begin this three-part series on the intersection of AI and faith, theology and work with a conversation between host Jeff Hoffmeyer and Stephen Presley. Stephen is an author, professor and senior fellow for Religion and Public Life at the Center for Religion Culture and Democracy. Together they discuss the importance of considering how AI is impacting our lives and our souls.

On efficiency and formation:

“One of my concerns is if we’re just trying to get better and better and better, what is it that we are trying to become? What kind of person, or what kind of people, is scripture calling us to be? Efficient is not the only virtue that scriptures are calling us to be.”

On how technology asks us to improvise:

"So our institutions are facing remodeling through a whole variety of technological advances, and that improvisation is built on the assumption, like I use the image of a jazz player, where only someone who is skilled in jazz can know how to pick up an instrument and just go. If I were to do it, it would not sound. Well, the assumption there is that it is Christian virtue, Christian mores, Christian assumptions that are guiding the performance. So I think the same needs to apply to any new technology, particularly the implementation of any sort of AI, AI programming or any of that that underneath it, you're still dealing with questions of virtue, questions of morality, questions of spiritual formation."

Download the episode transcript.

"Is AI Changing the Work of Pastors?" article in Common Good

More from Stephen Presley

• Stephen Presley's Website

• @sopresley on X

• @stopresley on Instagram

Recommended Further Reading

• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

• Alone Together by Sherry Turkle

• Slow Productivity by Cal Newport 

• Stephen Presleys Recommended Readings

What can the Bible teach us about work? And how can work be a way that we love our co-workers, friends, family, and neighbors? Katherine Leary Alsdorf, co-author of Every Good Endeavor, shares insights on loving our neighbor through our work from her decades in the private sector and founding the Center for Faith & Work.

When Christians think about scriptures that discuss business, Proverbs 31 may not be the first passage that comes to mind. Join Joanna Meyer as she discusses the topic of faith and business with Hannah Stolze, associate professor of supply chain management at Lipscomb University and executive director of the Wheaton College Center for Faith & Innovation.

When you think of the word "neighbor" who comes to mind? As Christians, we are called to "live with God in all of life"- in the office, at the grocery store, and in our neighborhoods. In this episode of the Faith & Work Podcast Joanna Meyer and Catherine Sandgren interview Chris & Elizabeth McKinney, speakers and authors of the book "Placed for a Purpose: A Simple Sustainable Vision for Loving Your Neighbors".

How might the example of Christ as a servant shape the field of law and those who have made justice their profession? These is the types of questions Robert Cochran addresses in his most recent book titled The Servant Lawyer: Facing the Challenges of Christian Faith in Everyday Law Practice. Listen in as Bob shares insights from his career, encourages Christians working in this field, and frames the importance of law for the common good.

Robert F. Cochran Jr. is the Brandeis Professor of Law Emeritus at Pepperdine University and a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law. Following law school, he clerked for Judge John A. Field on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and practiced with the law firm of Boyle & Bain in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Resources: 

Check out Bob Cochran's book The Servant Lawyer.

What does it look like to lead in your industry and be known distinctly as a "practitioner of love?" In today's episode of The Faith & Work Podcast, we hear from an expert who is leading the way - Jasmine Bellamy, VP of Merchandising, Planning, and Allocation at a major retailer. Jasmine is also the founder of Love 101 Ministries and is finishing a doctorate in global leadership at Fuller Seminary, focused on Redemptive Imagination in the Marketplace. Listen in as Jasmine shares her insights, practices, and experiences related to being a practitioner of love.

This week the Faith & Work Podcast discusses the importance of making your assumptions at work explicit. Everyone has their own unique working styles, strengths, and quirks that they bring to the workplace. In this episode, we hear from Brian Gray, Denver Institute's VP of Formation and the Director of the 5280 Fellowship, on the topic of transforming team relationships with user guides.

Passion is not the Holy Grail of work. Instead, we should see our work as a journey of discovery, rather than searching for a needle in a haystack. Michaela O'Donnell Long, senior director of the De Pree Center at Fuller Theological Seminary, joins us to talk about what we can learn from entrepreneurs and how we can apply that to a life with Christ.

Today The Faith & Work Podcast kicks off a short series called "Who are the people in your neighborhood?" We wanted to hear from people who work and lead in the industries we interact with every day - janitors, coffee baristas, teachers, etc. We will be asking these practitioners what it looks like to integrate their faith and work in the context of their every day. In this episode, we hear from Greg & Christy Sauer, co-owners and founders of True Clean Denver, a commercial cleaning company serving 50+ properties in the metro area.

This week the Faith & Work Podcast wraps up its three-part series on leadership. For this episode Joanna Meyer and Abby Worland interview Christy Vines. Christy Vines is the president and CEO of Ideos Institute, a Christian organization that dedicates its work to understanding the theological roots and neuroscience of empathy, the role it plays in leadership, society, and culture, and its power to help us solve the major challenges of our time. Listen in as we discuss what it looks like to be a leader who lives out the world-changing virtue of empathy.

The Faith & Work Podcast continues its feature of "Who are the people in your neighborhood?" In this episode, we interview Dave Hataj, president of Edgerton Gear, a precision machine shop that combines old-world craftsmanship with new-world technology. Listen in as we discuss the difference it can make when you shift from thinking about your work as just a job to treating it as a craft.

What role does faith play in the life and work of Christian entrepreneurs? What unique challenges do female entrepreneurs face in the workplace and the church? Joanna and Dustin talk with Donna Harris, founder and CEO of Builders & Backers and a founding member of K Street Capital, about her work as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist and how her faith shapes her work.

What do you do when work isn’t just difficult—it’s downright painful? In this episode of the Faith and Work Podcast, Jeff Hoffmeyer sits down with author Meryl Herr to tackle the raw realities of workplace hurt. From crushing disappointment to full-blown devastation, Meryl unpacks why work wounds us so deeply—and how we can find a way forward.

With wisdom from scripture, real-life stories, and her groundbreaking book When Work Hurts, Meryl discusses the realities of enduring hardship, reclaiming purpose, and even healing from the pain we’ve caused others. Whether you're burned out, beaten down, or just searching for meaning in the chaos, this episode is packed with hope, practical guidance, and a call to be a light in the darkness.

HIGHLIGHTS

On a Work Hurt:

"When we are overwhelmed by work hurt or frustration when it's building up, our light starts to diminish, right? We can't be a bright light for Jesus when we are overwhelmed, I mean, even burnt out, which is even a different metaphor to bring in that kind of work stress metaphor, but to think about how having to contend with all of this brokenness in our work that may be causing."

On Discipleship:

"You know, we have a job to do as Jesus' followers, and that is to bear witness to God's goodness, to the values of the kingdom, wherever we are, whatever we're doing."

RESOURCES

• Download the episode transcript
• When Work Hurts: Building Resilience When You're Beat Up or Burnt Out
• Meryl Herr's Website
• Meryl Herr's Substack

KEEP READING & LISTENING

• Angry At the Office: How Paying Attention to Our Emotions Can Help Us Understand Our Work Hurt
• Teach Us To Pray Podcast - Beauty & Brokenness Series 
  1. Questions and Charcoal
  2.  Because the Night 
  3. Sing a New Song

What does it look like to bring hope and life to those who are seeking home ownership? In this episode, we hear about a company and an individual who is doing just that - Stephen Phelan, Chief Pastoral Officer at Movement Mortgage. Movement Mortgage is not only addressing system issues in the mortgage lending space but it's also taking an innovative approach to culture-building and employee care.

Resources:

Download the episode transcript.

Stephen Phelan will be joining us as a keynote speaker at Business for the Common Good. Tickets are on sale now! Join us on Friday, March 8 at Hyatt Regency DTC (Please note, this year's event is in-person only)

Denver Institute Books:

• Faithful Work: In the Daily Grind with God and For Others by Ross Chapman and Ryan Tafilowski

• Women, Work, & Calling: Step into Your Place in God's World by Joanna Meyer

• Working from the Inside Out: A Brief Guide to the Inner Work that Transforms Our Outer World by Jeff Haanen

What does the human body teach us about the Body of Christ, and how can the Body of Christ respond, serve, and love during a pandemic? Dustin talks with author and speaker Philip Yancey on the book, "Fearfully and Wonderfully: The Marvel of Bearing God's Image."

How do Christians constructively engage cultural and political discussions in this increasingly divisive age? Whether we're speaking up at a city council meeting, figuring out how to navigate a touchy subject over Thanksgiving dinner, or expressing (or not expressing) our opinions on social media, how do we talk about important issues in a way that's effective and winsome? Stephanie Summers, CEO of the Center for Public Justice, joins Joanna and Dustin to discuss opportunities for engagement in public life.

What spiritual and emotional challenges do Christian entrepreneurs face in their work? In this episode, Joanna Meyer and Jeff Haanen talk with Henry Kaestner, Co-Founder and Partner at Sovereign’s Capital, about how to stay mindful of your soul in the midst of busyness. 

Join Denver Institute staff members Joanna Meyer, Jeff Hoffmeyer, Brian Gray, Dustin Moody, and Catherine Sandgren as they reflect on the events of the past year. In this episode, we discuss a wide range of topics from what it means to have a faith that is built for the liminal spaces of life, to slippers and Christmas music.

This episode concludes our AI Series on the intersection of AI and faith, theology and work. This episodes guest, Andy Crouch, is a partner for theology and culture at Praxis, a venture-building ecosystem advancing redemptive entrepreneurship. His writing explores faith, culture, and the image of God in the domains of technology, power, leadership, and the arts. He is the author of five books including, The Life We're Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World. Andy and Jeff discuss how AI can be used for redemptive purposes, and reflect on some best practices as the increased use of AI will impact our future.

This fall Denver Institute published Vice & Virtue, a book that draws on historic traditions of the Christian faith to offer a framework for understanding the challenges and opportunities we encounter in the modern workplace. Our podcast conversations over the coming weeks will be framed around virtues we can cultivate in our various places of work. We will focus on the virtues of love, courage, humility, temperance, and justice learning from top leaders like Andy Crouch, Sabrina Little, and Katelyn Beaty. To kick off this series Joanna Meyer interviews Ryan Tafilowski and Dustin Moody the two men who are responsible for spearheading this project.

How do educators shape the character of students as well as their minds? How can Christian teachers integrate character-development practices into secular schools? Joanna and Dustin talk with Matt Hoening, an educator, pastor, and contributor to The Character Formation Project. Matt shares about the value of character formation in education and the ways to integrate values-focused curriculum into classrooms and after-school programs.

What does it look like to thrive? Listen in as The Faith & Work Podcast talks with Ross Chapman, CEO of Denver Institute, on what Harvard and Scripture have to say about flourishing in all aspects of life. Additionally, over the last six months, Ross conducted a listening tour, talking to the organization’s key stakeholders, leaders in our community, and outside observers to gain a fresh perspective on the role Denver Institute can fill in our community.

Shame can impact every area of our lives, from our relationships to our workplaces. But where does it come from? What does the Bible have to say about it? Dr. Curt Thompson explains shame's origins, it's impact, and how we can grow from it.

How can faith-based organizations, civic leaders, and business leaders join forces to tackle city-wide challenges? This episode dives into three powerful case studies focused on housing affordability, showcasing how collaboration is driving real change in Colorado. You’ll hear firsthand stories from:

• Stu Davis, founder of COS I Love You, on how churches, businesses, and civic leaders in Colorado Springs are working together to address housing and community needs.
• Jessica Dominguez, owner of Love Thy Neighbor Real Estate and director of Abundant Ground, on how Denver churches are reimagining land use to create affordable housing.
• Michelle Warren, president of Virago Strategies, on advocating for groundbreaking policy changes to unlock housing potential on faith-owned properties.

These leaders are meeting their cities’ toughest challenges with creativity, persistence, and faith. Their stories will inspire you to reimagine how collaboration can bring God’s hope and life to your own community. 

On Working Better Together:

"And even though our temptation is to sometimes want to be the deliverer of support, a meal, a shelter bed, a hand around the shoulder, we also get to partner with agencies and organizations who do that every single day. And so Matthew 25 can be exercised by handing somebody a meal. It can also be exercised by providing additional resources and firepower and sustainability to the organizations who do that very thing, whatever problem it is that they're trying to solve. So I'm a big believer in both, and I just think that it's worth the opportunity for us to step into those partnerships and create the kind of collaboration that I think can happen when we do." -Stu Davis

On Challenges of Collaboration:

"So partnership is key. Having Michelle and Brian in my corner has been so great. I think the challenges with getting development going is the amount of time it takes, the amount of money it costs just to do some pre-development work. I also think that, oh, I know that churches are kind of waiting a long time before making the decision, and then it puts them in a spot where they have to make maybe a quick decision where they're not able to take their time to do their due diligence." - Jessica Dominguez

On Ego:

“And so we really need to understand that the whole process of collaboration, which is also in government called democracy, is its strongest when we have all the voices there having the opportunity and equal voice to speak into it. So I would just say is come full of conviction, but hold your positions with a little bit of open handedness so that you can build bridges to other people." - Michelle Warren

RESOURCES

• Download the episode transcript
• Learn more about the Denver Institute's FOR Campaign 
• See the full Tamarac Scale 
• COS I Love You Website (Sign Up for thier Newsletter Here!)
• “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish” (John 1:14 MESSAGE)
• Abundant Ground Website
• Learn More about Empowering Faith and Educational Institutions to Create the Housing Their Communities Need

GET INVOLVED

• If you are a church or faith-based nonprofit leader, would you read and consider signing this Letter of Support to allow churches greater ease and lower cost in developing creative housing projects? If you aren’t a faith leader, would you share this with your pastors or other organizational leaders in Colorado who might lend their support?
• If you are a business leader and interested in signing a Letter of Support to allow churches greater ease and lower cost in developing creative housing projects, please check back on this page soon for the link to sign!

What does it look like to lean into the work of fathering? This important work of parenting often eludes the public eye, but its impact is immeasurable. In this episode, Joanna and Dustin talk with Nathan Hoag, lead pastor of The Sacred Grace Englewood, husband, father, neighbor, and active citizen, on the ups and downs of what it means to pursue the "calling" of fatherhood through the lens of a believer. 

Hip-hop recording artist Sho Baraka joins the team to talk about artists and calling. Sho leads a movement in Atlanta called the Terminus Collective, which convenes believers around an inspiring vision of faith and work, catalyzes groups around the challenges of the city, and creates projects that address those challenges. The team talks through some of the challenges that artists face, as well as ways for Christians and local churches to support creators and good art.

Can Christian creativity change the world? What does it look like to integrate culture, art, and faith to help bring about healing? Joanna and Brian talk with Sho Baraka, a globally recognized recording artist and co-founder of Forth District and The AND Campaign, on how creativity is the task of every worker. 

What does hopeful collaboration look like in the context of education? In this episode, we had the privilege of interviewing Tracey Beal, founder and CEO of School Connect, a model of strategic collaboration that helps schools accomplish their goals while fostering win/win partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders. Listen in and hear more about how lives can be transformed through the power of trusted relationships.

Brian, Joanna and Dustin explore the big ideas and questions behind our “calling.” What does the Bible have to say about our calling? How have we gotten it wrong? How does it influence our work and the way we spend our time?

Brian hosts a discussion on the lasting impact of Eugene Peterson, a pastor and author who made a significant impact on Christians in the U.S. over the past several decades. Brian is joined by Dave Strunk and Jared Mackey, and they discuss Eugene's wisdom and writings, as well as his influence on them personally. The episode includes a clip from Eugene Peterson talking about the role of work in the plan of God.

Artificial Intelligence is here to stay, but will it ever be sophisticated enough to replace the human? What does it mean to be human?

Welcome to part two of our three-part AI Series on the intersection of AI and faith, theology and work. In this conversation we explore what it means to be human and how that definition challenges and interacts with Artificial Intelligence technology. Please enjoy this multi-faceted dialogue among host Jeff Hoffmeyer, speaker and writer in science and faith, Greg Cootsona, and Reuter professor and computer scientist Noreen Herzfeld, PhD.

Between the pandemic, the U.S. election, and the normal stressors of life, many of us are experiencing anxiety in our work and our relationships. On this episode of The Faith & Work Podcast, the team shares some practical spiritual formation habits that can help you lean in and grow closer to God in this season.

How might Christian faith shed light on the under-recognized value of hourly-wage workers, who contribute to our economy and city? In this episode, Joanna talks with Jeff Haanen, founder and CEO, about how to better care for those in our city. 

Our workplaces can be places where we share our God-given gifts with the world or the source of stress and disappointment. So, what do we do when work isn't enjoyable? Join Joanna Meyer and Dustin Moody as they talk with Shundrawn Thomas, the president and chief executive of a trillion-dollar global investment management firm, about how to find joy in your work. In addition to his role as a corporate leader, Shundrawn wrote the book Discovering Joy at Work: Transforming Your Occupation into Your Vocation (InterVarsity Press), which he discusses in this episode.

What are the dominant worldviews in culture today, and how do they impact our work? How can educators recognize and understand these worldviews for their students? Dr. Mary Poplin, professor in the School of Educational Studies at Claremont Graduate University, joins us to discuss the background and implications of four prevailing worldviews and thoughts on education for Christian teachers.

Scientists often talk about how their Christian faith informs their work, but we rarely hear how their work influences their faith. Joann and Brian talk with Dr. Rick Lindroth, professor of ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, about the intersection of science and faith, his research in aspen forests, and ways that Christians can find common ground on topics like conservation, environmentalism, and creation care.

How have business leaders navigated unanticipated setbacks due to COVID-19? And how do Christians in business deal with the uncertainty of a pandemic? In this episode, Dustin and Joanna talk with Aik Hong Tan and David Park of the Greenwood Hospitality Group to learn about the difficulties the travel and tourism industry has faced this past year. 

The Faith & Work Podcast is kicking off a three-part series that will be centered on the topic of Leadership. These episodes will not only discuss the timeless skills of crafting a vision and thinking strategically they will also address leadership skills that are needed to navigate the complexities of today's economic uncertainty and changing social dynamics.

In this episode, we hear from an expert in the field David Spickard. David is the Founder and President of 11 | Ten Leadership, a leadership development company based in Raleigh, NC, that works with CEOs and their leadership teams in companies with revenues ranging from $1 million to $250 million per year to strengthen their leadership, culture, strategy, and impact.

Join us for our second conversation on Faith In Public Life, featuring Karen Swallow Prior Ph. D., reader, writer, and professor.

In this episode we discuss Karen's most recent book, The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images, and Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis, in which she outlines some of the cultural influences that have shaped our understanding of the role faith plays in public life.

Resources

The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images, and Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis

Free e-book to continue your learning Politics at Twilight.

Faith & Work Podcast: "Leading with Christian Distinctiveness in a Pluralistic Society" with Stephanie Summers, CEO of Center for Public Justice"

How can we put faith into practice in our everyday, working lives? Shannon Vandewarker and Denise Daniels, co-authors of the new book, Working in the Presence of God, share practical ways to experience God in work, from our commutes to our task list.

What does it take to live a moral life? Jeff and Dustin talk with David Brooks, New York Times columnist and best-selling author, about his latest book, The Second Mountain. David shares about his personal journey of faith and what it means to live a "second mountain" life through commitments to family, a vocation, a community, and a philosophy.

Jeff interviews John Marsh, founder of Marsh Collective and host of the Redemptification podcast. John and his team create good work everyday, and we talk with John about what it means to be “entrepreneurially promiscuous,” his personal story of redemption, and what it means to love a city and the people in it.

What comes to mind when you read the word "mentor"? Sometimes we can limit our learning opportunities by clinging to a rigid definition or misinterpretation of what it looks like to be a mentor or a mentee. In this episode of the Faith and Work Podcast, Joanna Meyer dives into the topic of mentorship with Laura Flanders, a certified executive coach and the founder of Taproot Innovations.

The Faith & Work Podcast is wrapping up its series of Virtue and Vice at Work. In this week's final episode, Joanna Meyer and Abby Worland discuss the virtue of love in the workplace with Kara Martin, author of Workship: How to Use your Work to Worship God, and Workship 2: How to Flourish at Work. She is a lecturer at Alphacrucis College and Adjunct Professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Boston. Listen in as they discuss what love at work looks like and the impact it can make.

Aly McCroskey, wedding photographer and host of the Oh Happy Day Podcast, shares a powerful perspective of what it means to live out your faith behind the camera. With over a decade in the wedding industry, she shares how beauty, service, and the Holy Spirit collide on event days. From unexpected rainstorms to soul-deep reflections on identity and calling, Aly’s story is equal parts inspiring and practical. This episode is a vibrant reminder that even in high-pressure, creative work, Jesus shows up.

HIGHLIGHTS

On Obedience: 

"How many times have I not been obedient to the Lord when he was nudging me to do something like that? Because I was afraid, afraid of how my client would act, afraid, you know, would happen forget, you know, that something in or seem inappropriate. And so that was such a good reminder to me to pay attention when the Holy Spirit is nudging you to do something. Because not only is that affecting you and your spiritual life, but it had an effect in my client, who was not a particularly religious person and showed her a glimpse that God cares about her and even small things about the weather on her wedding day."

On the character of God:

"God reveals aspects of his character to people in their various industries. Like people in medicine know different things about God than I might know as a photographer. And it really takes doing our redemptive work in the world, whatever that is, and sharing about it with others to sort of give humanity a full picture of God is really like and the things that he cares about."

RESOURCES

• Download the episode transcript

• Learn more about Aly & her work

  • Wild Cotton Photography 

  • Wild Cotton Photography Instagram

  • Oh Happy Day Podcast

• Every Good Endeavor - Tim Keller

• Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara

• Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)

• And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19:9)

How can we navigate the job search while maintaining our sanity? What wisdom does Scripture offer about who we are apart from what we do? Today, unemployment is both a spiritual issue as well as a financial issue for many people. Joanna talks with Matt Thomas of Core Ventures about biblical and practical wisdom for the job search.

Churches often struggle to affirm the positive role that businesses can have and the potential influence of business leaders. After all, what does the Bible have to say about the ways we run our businesses? Jeff talks with Kenman Wong, professor of business ethics at Seattle Pacific University and producer of the Faith & Co. video series, about Christian business leaders and whole-life discipleship.

SUMMARY

Our guest today is James Ruder, former owner of L&R Pallet and current owner of FenceRight, who joins us to share his journey of faith and business transition interviewed by guest podcast hosts Spencer Williams and Jeff Haanen. After years of leading L&R Pallet and implementing transformative hiring practices, James made the difficult decision to sell the company in 2023. In this episode of the Faith & Work Podcast, we explore how selling a business impacts an owner personally, especially when guided by a Kingdom vision. Join us as James reflects on the challenges, emotions, and lessons he’s learned—and how his faith continues to shape his work today. 

Do you like The Faith & Work Podcast? Be sure to subscribe! Now available on iTunes and Spotify.

HIGHLIGHTS

On Selling Your Business:

"It was like someone absolutely died. Here we are trying to make a good business decision the smart thing we’ve talked about, a financial move… it felt like your grandma just died and someone tells you congratulations."

 On Kingdom-Minded Work:

"How am I going to use this resource that God’s given us to minister to the people who walk past my office door every day? He just showed us how the missions field can come to us, we don’t have to go to the missions field necessarily…" [Every day was an] “opportunity for impact, what are you going to do with the people that come through your doors?”

RESOURCES

• Download the episode transcript
• Check out more of the L&R Pallet Story here - FAITH & CO: In The People Business 
• Get your tickets to Business for the Common Good before they run out!

What does it look like to live out your faith authentically in your workplace? For some people, this may not seem like a difficult thing to do but for others being a Christian can stir up unwanted hostility or misunderstandings. In this episode, Joanna Meyer talks with Denise Lee Yohn, a keynote speaker, consultant, and writer on brand leadership. She is the bestselling author of the book What Great Brands Do: The Seven Brand-Building Principles that Separate the Best from the Rest and her most recent work, FUSION: How Integrating Brand and Culture Powers the World’s Greatest Companies.

Can you really "do what you love"? What about the people who hate their jobs? How should I consider a new opportunity, or should I remain faithful where I am now? Jeff, Brian, Joanna and Dustin explore these questions and more on the latest episode of The Faith & Work Podcast.

How should faith inform our politics? How do we balance our convictions without compromising our values when it's time to vote this fall? Joanna and Dustin talk with Justin Giboney, founder of The AND Campaign and author of Compassion and Conviction, about faith, politics, and the false choices we create.

The Pew Research Center reports that Christianity in the U.S. is declining at a rapid pace. But what can we learn from the data? Is there more to the story behind the numbers? Jeff, Joanna, and Dustin discuss the takeaways from this recent report.

What can neuroscience teach us about faith and our experience with God? How can we manage stress at work in pursuit of wholeness and integration? Joanna and Dustin talk with Dr. Curt Thompson, a psychiatrist, speaker, and the author of Anatomy of the Soul, about being known, searching for hope, and seeking God in the midst of grief.

Joanna Meyer talks with Kara Martin, author of Workship: How to Use your Work to Worship God, and Workship 2: How to Flourish at Work. She is a lecturer at Alphacrucis College and Adjunct Professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Boston. Listen in as they discuss a wide range of topics that influence our faith and our work.