Work Love Pray: Real Talk Grounded in Truth: Recent Episodes
4word
Real conversations about real issues women in the workplace face at work, at home, or in their church communities.
In this episode, host Jordan Johnstone speaks with Sharon Beach, a remarkable individual whose life story exemplifies resilience. Sharon shares her harrowing experience of being kidnapped and the strength she found in her faith to escape and recover. In this conversation, Sharon shares her profound journey of healing and resilience following her traumatic experiences. She emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, the role of faith in overcoming obstacles, and the significance of surrounding oneself with supportive people.
Key Takeaways * Resiliency is defined as embracing God's promise for our lives. * Childhood challenges can shape our ability to be resilient. * Community plays a crucial role in personal growth and support. * Resiliency is a mindset that can be cultivated throughout life. * Planning and mental strength are key in overcoming trauma. * Living well is a powerful form of revenge against adversity. * Faith can guide us through the darkest times. * The journey of healing can take time but is achievable. * Sharing our stories can help others find strength. Forgiveness can be a powerful release from burdens. * God's presence can carry us through difficult times. * Resilience often comes from a blend of faith and personality. * Sharing one's story can help others find healing. * Surrounding yourself with supportive people is crucial. * It's important to take life one day at a time. * God's timing is essential in our journeys. * Emotional struggles are common for victims of trauma. * Encouragement can come from scripture and faith. * Helping one person can fulfill a greater purpose.
In this episode, guest Reagan Cannon and host Jordan Johnstone discuss the importance of feedback in professional growth and how to give and receive feedback effectively. Reagan emphasizes the role of trust in feedback, and addresses the challenges that women face in giving and receiving feedback. Reagan and Jordan also explore the Christian approach to feedback and the importance of teaching and setting clear expectations.
Key Takeaways * Feedback is crucial for professional growth and should be given and received regularly. * Trust plays a significant role in the effectiveness of feedback. * Women face unique challenges in giving and receiving feedback due to societal expectations. * The Christian approach to feedback involves teaching, setting clear expectations, and giving feedback with love and empathy.
In this episode, Melissa Harrison, Executive Director of 4word, and Catherine Gates, Executive Director of Polished Network, share their initial reactions to the decision to merge organizations, the vision for unity, and the importance of collaboration in serving Christian women in the workplace. The conversation also highlights the Taste of 4word Roadshow and the excitement surrounding the changes expected in 2025, emphasizing the commitment to support and empower even more Christian women in the workplace through this merger.
In this episode, Heidi Rasmussen, 4word board chair and president, and Sheila Walls, Polished Network board president, discuss the origin of the merger between 4word and Polished Network. They share their personal journeys into leadership, the divine calling that led to the merger, and the importance of empowering women in the workplace. The conversation highlights the unity and collaboration between the two organizations, emphasizing the positive impact we aim to have on Christian women in the workplace.
In this episode, Debi Wolfe discusses the evolving landscape of performance reviews. She explores the ineffectiveness of the traditional review process and advocates for a shift towards continuous feedback and forward-looking evaluations. Debi emphasizes the importance of building trust between leaders and employees, encouraging a culture where feedback is a two-way street.
In this episode, Denise Grace Gitsham, a political contributor, attorney, speaker, and author, joins host, Jordan Johnstone, to discuss the importance of storytelling and its impact. Denise highlights the significance of storytelling in leadership, sales, and motivating others. She also shares how storytelling can be used to talk about personal accomplishments and professional successes, emphasizing the importance of sharing stories as a testimony of God's goodness and inspiring others.
Key Takeaways * Storytelling is a powerful tool that engages our emotions and activates different parts of our brains, making it more memorable and relatable. * Storytelling is effective in leadership, sales, and motivating others, as it helps convey messages in a way that resonates with people. * Sharing personal accomplishments and professional successes through storytelling can be done by viewing them as a testimony of God's goodness and inspiring others. * Being truthful about the results of a year while maintaining a positive and encouraging tone can be achieved through storytelling that focuses on growth, learning, and resilience. Authenticity and speaking truthfully about challenges can minister to others. * Authenticity is important in leadership and can inspire trust and connection. * Storytelling is a powerful tool in various contexts, such as politics and thought leadership. * Crafting an authentic story involves knowing your audience and staying on message. * God's discipline can shape and transform us, even in the realm of politics.
In this special episode, host Jordan Johnstone speaks with 4word's Executive Director, Melissa Harrison, about the significance of 4word Giving Week and the special way we're sharing the impact of our global ministry.
Trust is foundational to any interaction in our lives, so it should be foundational in our planning and leading. In this episode, Rev. Dr. Margaret Grun Kibben discusses the importance of trust and how to build it. She emphasizes the need for self-awareness, relationships, and experiences in building trust. Dr. Kibben shares her personal approach to modeling trust and highlights the role of vulnerability in building trust.
Key Takeaways * Trust is foundational to any interaction in our lives and should be prioritized in our planning and leading. * Building trust requires self-awareness, relationships, and experiences. * Trust in God forms the foundation for trusting others. * Modeling trust involves being real, grounded in faith, and reflecting the fruits of the spirit. * Trust and inclusion are interconnected, and trust can encourage team building and create a positive workplace culture.
In this episode, Charmaine Solomon, a licensed professional counselor and mentor in the 4word Mentor Program, discusses the challenges of integrating faith in the workplace, and the role of mentorship in advancing in one's career and faith. She also highlights the benefits of the 4word Mentor Program and encourages listeners to sign up for the fall session.
Key Takeaways * Mentorship is essential for integrating faith and work, as it provides guidance, support, and accountability. * Integrating faith in the workplace starts with declaring one's faith and acting in a Christian-like way. * Building a community of like-minded individuals in the workplace can create a safe and supportive environment for sharing and living out one's faith. * The 4word Mentor Program offers a valuable opportunity for mentorship and growth in integrating faith and work. * Passing on the baton of faith and leadership to rising leaders within an organization is essential for building a strong community of faith-based leaders.
In this episode, Diana Romero, founder and CEO of Integrated Purpose Management, shares the importance of integrating faith and work. She explores how individuals can authentically live out their faith in the workplace and the impact it can have on their colleagues. She also discusses the role of companies in creating a faith-friendly environment and provides practical advice for employees and organizations.
In this episode, Christy Wright discusses the importance of setting boundaries and recognizing when it's time to establish or reinforce them. She shares personal experiences and insights on how to overcome the fear of setting boundaries and the power of saying "no." Christy also emphasizes the role of boundaries in creating balance and finding peace in a chaotic life. She encourages defining success, establishing structure, and intentionally doing less to protect your time and energy.
In this episode, Mindy Caliguire discusses the topic of burnout and the importance of soul care. She explores the symptoms and causes of burnout, as well as the challenges women face in caring for their souls. Mindy shares her personal experience with burnout and emphasizes the need for a deep resolve to prioritize soul care. She also differentiates between self-care and soul care, highlighting the importance of connecting with God's presence and being responsive to His work in our lives.
In this episode, host Jordan Johnstone and guest Jennifer Howell discuss the importance of empathy and its role in the workplace. They explore the difference between empathy and sympathy, and how empathy can complement self-awareness. Jennifer shares a personal experience of how empathy in the workplace impacted her and offers strategies for leaders to model empathy and build team connection.
In this episode, the conversation explores the importance of self-awareness in emotional intelligence (EQ) and how it relates to mindfulness. Dr. Merary Simeon, a Fortune 50 HR executive, shares insights on self-awareness and its impact on personal and professional growth. She emphasizes the need to pause, reflect, and understand our emotions, triggers, and inner world. Dr. Merary and host, Jordan Johnstone, discuss the importance of self-awareness and vulnerability in managing emotions and building relationships. They also explore the connection between self-awareness and forgiveness in emotional healing.
In this episode, Dr. Shannon Crawford, founder and CEO of Crawford Clinics, discusses how society's lack of margin and constant bombardment contribute to higher levels of anxiety. Dr. Crawford introduces the concept of restoring self-cohesion, which involves identifying the unconscious beliefs that contribute to anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of building emotional strength and resilience, increasing emotional connection and intimacy, and using anxiety as a barometer for rebalancing and recalibrating one's life.
Key Takeaways * Society's lack of margin and constant bombardment contribute to higher levels of anxiety. * Anxiety is not caused by situational stress, but by our perception of our ability to handle stress effectively. * Restoring self-cohesion involves identifying unconscious beliefs that contribute to anxiety. * Building emotional strength and resilience is important for personal growth. * Sharing anxieties with trusted individuals can increase emotional connection and intimacy. * Using anxiety as a barometer can help identify areas in life that need rebalancing and recalibrating. Anxiety can be a diagnostic tool, signaling that something is out of alignment in our lives. * Paying attention to the physical symptoms of anxiety can help us understand and address the underlying causes. * Finding resolution for anxiety involves taking care of our physical health, processing emotions, and seeking spiritual guidance. * It is important to recognize the influence of the Enemy and to bind anxiety and other negative emotions in the name of Jesus.
In this episode, guest Alli Worthington discusses anxiety and its impact on women. She and host, Jordan Johnstone, explore the intersection of faith and business, the importance of getting help, and strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome and setbacks. They also emphasize the role of mentorship and self-care in managing anxiety, and highlight the challenges women face in the workplace. Alli provides our listeners with practical advice for navigating anxiety and building resilience.
Key Takeaways * Anxiety is a common struggle for women, particularly in the workplace, due to societal expectations and the mental load they carry. * Entrepreneurship can be a catalyst for anxiety, but it also provides an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. * Getting help, whether through therapy, coaching, or mentorship, is crucial for managing anxiety and maintaining mental well-being. * Overcoming imposter syndrome requires taking action, embracing vulnerability, and recognizing that growth often involves discomfort. * Self-care, including practices like breathwork and intentional time for relaxation, is essential for managing anxiety and maintaining overall well-being.
In this episode, Paula Brown Stafford and Lisa T. Grimes discuss the importance of organizational culture and the need for individuals to be able to showcase their personal strengths and skills in the workplace. They share personal experiences of struggling with conformity and emphasize the importance of authenticity in creating a healthy organizational culture. The role of communication in staying true to oneself is also explored, along with the significance of continuous learning and taking calculated risks.
In this conversation, Stephanie Chung shares insights on creating a healthy organizational culture and emphasizes the importance of healthy confrontation and over-communication. Stephanie also highlights the need for empathy and understanding among team members and discusses the significance of building a collaborative culture. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in leadership and provides a sneak peek into her upcoming book, Ally Leadership.
In this conversation, Christy Wright discusses the topic of confidence and why it is a struggle for many women. Christy also highlights the impact of imposter syndrome and the fear of failure on women's confidence. She emphasizes the importance of setting goals to increase confidence and shares insights on how to overcome setbacks and maintain confidence. Christy encourages individuals to seek community and surround themselves with supportive and authentic people. She also provides goal-setting resources and suggests setting goals that align with one's current season of life to build confidence.
In this conversation, Nona Jones discusses the issue of lack of confidence in society and the impact of toxic comparison on personal confidence. She shares her own journey of finding confidence and provides practical steps to detox from toxic comparison. Nona emphasizes the importance of reframing thoughts and celebrating sufficiency instead of grieving deficiency. She also recommends studying the story of Jonathan, Saul, and David as a resource for building personal confidence. Additionally, Nona advises controlling social media and not letting it control one's self-esteem.
Order Nona's book here!
In this episode, Diane Paddison and Melissa Harrison discuss their journey of meeting and working together to address the issue of loneliness among women leaders. They share their personal experiences of loneliness in their respective roles, and Diane shares how it led her to start 4word, a ministry that provides community and support for women leaders. Diane announces her transition to the founder role of 4word and introduces Melissa as our new executive director. They discuss the growth of 4word and their excitement for the future of the ministry.
Key Takeaways
- Loneliness is a common struggle among women leaders, especially those in senior executive roles.
- Community and support are essential for combating loneliness and providing a safe space for women leaders to share their experiences.
- 4word has experienced significant growth and impact, reaching millions of women and providing resources and programs to support their leadership journeys.
- Diane's transition to the founder role and Melissa's appointment as the new executive director mark an exciting new season for 4word, with a focus on expanding its reach and continuing to serve women leaders.
Beginning this month's discussion on loneliness is someone who has become a huge voice for speaking on it. Liz Forkin Bohannon, founder of Sseko Designs and the author of Beginner’s Pluck, is a dear friend of 4word and we love her because she is fearless, empathetic, and not afraid to get in the trenches on things she is passionate about. And what she is most passionate about these days is dissolving the stigma around loneliness and getting all of us very comfortable with identifying and resolving loneliness in our lives.
Episode links: * Watch "You Are Not Alone in Feeling Alone" * Sign up for Liz's newsletter to download her FREE reflective listening
Continuing the conversation on grounded leadership is Linda Valdez Thompson. Linda is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in leading global private and public sector organizations. After a 20+ year successful career at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport as an executive vice president and at Fortune 500 companies such as Levi Strauss, Baxter, and Hasbro, Linda consults with clients in the areas of Leadership Development & Training, Human Resources, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Linda is also a 4word Board member and a Certified Strengths Coach from Gallup. She is passionate about helping people not just find their strengths but also put them to use individually and combined with the strengths of those around them.
As Christians, we know the Bible is God’s Word, meant to be a guide, a comforter, and a motivator as we each follow the path God has laid before us. But what might be of interest to you as you think about moving forward in your career, is that the Bible also talks extensively about business and offers insights for leaders at any place in their professional journey.
In this episode, you will hear from Nicholas Leone, founder of Business Bible, and 4word founder, Diane Paddison. They discuss how faith integrated into business can produce miraculous results, and share about the exclusive 4word edition of Business Bible.
In this episode, Dr. Nicole Martin walks us through her final two aspects of her personal meaning of Christmas, and both Nicole and host, Jordan Johnstone, share why they think Christ coming as a baby and not as a full-grown adult holds significance for all Christians.
To wrap up the 2023 season of Work, Love, Pray, we wanted to bring back one of our favorite guests to speak about Christmas and what it means to her. Dr. Nicole Martin, Chief Impact Officer at Christianity Today, is one of our favorite people to share with our 4word community! We have never had an interaction with her in which we did not feel God speaking through her to us with the exact words and encouragement we needed most in that time.
In this episode, Nicole talks about three things that make up her personal definition of Christmas and what the holiday season means to her.
In this episode, 4word founder, Diane Paddison, and 4word's Director of Programs, Marion Medina, speak on how your gratitude can actually transform the lives of others. Diane and Marion also share what gratitude means to both of them and what they are especially grateful for at 4word this year.
To begin this month’s conversation centered around gratitude, Marisa Fienup, 4word advisory board member and Senior Director of Product Management for Tandem Diabetes, joins host, Jordan Johnstone, to share why gratitude is something she is very mindful to dedicate time to each day. Marisa also shares a list of 4 ways gratitude can transform every area of your life.
In this episode, Kay Lynn Mayhue, President of Merit, and host, Jordan Johnstone, talk about why financial planning can be an uncomfortable process, which can also lead to some mistakes or missteps when approaching your finances as a professional woman. Kay Lynn also shares her financial planning top win and biggest mistake, and offers advice on how to start financial planning, no matter where you are in life.
To help you as you wrap up this year and plan for the next one, we are dedicating the month of October to talking about financial planning—what it looks like, how you do it, and why it’s so important. Join host Jordan Johnstone as she interviews Kay Lynn Mayhue, President of Merit, which manages over 5 billion in RIA and Brokerage assets under management. Kay Lynn is passionate about helping people take their careers – and themselves – to exceptional levels, which is exactly what we hope you are able to do with the resources that 4word provides this month!
In the previous episode, you met Molly Fletcher, entrepreneur and host of the podcast, Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Molly shared how she embraces learning in her own life and career, and reassured all of us that asking questions and being curious is a sign of confidence, not weakness.
In this episode, Molly and host, Jordan Johnstone, discuss how to overcome obstacles like fear that may be keeping you from stepping out of your comfort zone to take advantage of a learning opportunity. Molly also shares how she encourages learning within her own team and how together they prioritize developing as individuals and as a company.
Join host Jordan Johnstone as she interviews Molly Fletcher to discuss how you can become a lifelong learner and why it’s something that you prioritize. There’s never a wrong time to be learning, and actively seeking out opportunities to learn will not only enrich your life, but it will also strengthen your relationships with others as they connect with you through your journey to learn and understand more about them and what they do.
Molly Fletcher, entrepreneur, speaker, author, and host of the podcast Game Changers with Molly Fletcher, returns to the podcast and shares why learning is something that she is incredibly passionate about and believes in the importance of.
In this episode, Martha Newsome and host, Jordan Johnstone, talk about how Medical Teams International is working to bring awareness to more issues happening around the world. Martha also shares who the most influential leaders have been in her life and what makes her most proud as CEO.
Join host Jordan Johnstone and guest Martha Newsome, CEO and president of Medical Teams International, as they discuss exponential and influential leadership. As you listen to their conversation, you will hear the joy and genuine heart that Martha has, not just for the communities that Medical Teams assists, but also for the people on her staff that partner with her to have an impact on the hurting parts of the world. Martha is an authentic example of influential and exponential leadership and we are so grateful we all get to learn from her this month.
In this episode, Keri and host Jordan Johnstone go deeper into seven shifts that will result when a woman is leading a movement in her sphere of influence. Keri uses these shifts to further define how a movement maker should structure their movement in order to not just see it be successful, but also see it make the difference in the world that it was intended to make from its inception.
This month's Work, Love, Pray guest is Keri Ladouceur. Keri is a speaker, coach, and pastor. Through her decades of experience in the corporate world and now in ministry, she has come to deeply recognize and resonate with the need for more women-led movements in this world. If “being the change” is something that has been on your heart lately, then this month’s episodes are 100% for you.
In this episode, Tracey and Jordan dive into what good and genuine influence is actually all about, how to take on the role of being an influence without neglecting the other parts of your life (hello, work/life balance!), and Tracey shares about the mentors and influences in her life that made her career possible.
This month's Work, Love, Pray guest is Tracey Newell. Tracey has built a highly successful career in sales and leadership, working with companies like Juniper Networks, Webex, and Cisco Systems. She now serves on the boards of five high-growth software companies, and is passionate about helping companies and the teams that power them see and utilize their full potentials. As you will hear, the topic of influence and becoming a woman of influence is something that Tracey does not shy away from, and she is able to infuse this important conversation with many insights she has learned herself.
In this episode, Dr. Shannan Crawford and host, Jordan Johnstone, walk their way through the last two steps in the boundary-setting process, and also talk about working through the possible “fear of missing out” feelings you may battle when you start flexing your new “say no” muscles.
Do you want to be more resilient? Do you want to be more present? Do you want to feel more honest with yourself and in turn, with those in your life? Mental health plays a huge part in making those goals (and many others) a reality for your life.
This month's guest is Dr. Shannan Crawford. If you’ve followed 4word for at least the past couple of years, you will recognize her name AND voice! Dr. Crawford is a licensed psychologist and the CEO of Crawford Clinics, and she is also the host of the podcast Unlock U. In this first episode of May, Dr. Crawford discusses how the personal decision and commitment to create boundaries is a perfect infusion into the foundation of your own unstoppable development.
In this episode, we wrap up our conversation with Shae Bynes by talking about the recurring role that vulnerability and transparency play in our walk with God, and how, as a Christian woman, you can grow not just your confidence in your relationship with God but also your confidence in God.
Shae Bynes, entrepreneur and author of Grace Over Grind: How Grace Will Take Your Business Where Grinding Can’t, leads listeners down a path toward a thriving relationship with God, offering insights into how she has had to prioritize this relationship building in her life and what she has learned is vital to growing as close to God as possible.
In this episode, we wrap up our conversation with Michelle Quinn, Vice President Of Business Development at Constellis, by talking about what female empowerment can look like in the United States and how the negative workplace tendency to pit women against each other in order to stand out as competent and capable is hindering efforts to offer every woman the chance to be positively empowered.
In this month’s episodes, Michelle Quinn, Vice President Of Business Development at Constellis, shares her heart for helping those who need the support of others to survive and make their communities a better place for all. In this episode, Michelle dives into what female empowerment should really entail and how you can be an advocate for your own empowerment.
In our last episode, you met Liz Forkin Bohannon with Sseko Designs. Liz followed God’s calling in her heart for the women of Uganda and through her tenacity and willingness to ask the hard questions and take the big steps of faith, she has written a story full of the beautiful results of being open and willing to follow after God’s plan, no matter how daunting each twist and turn along the way may look.
In this episode, our conversation with Liz wraps up by talking about the idea of prosperity and how to get in the right mindset about what success looks like for your dream. Liz also shares the advice she would give to anyone standing at the starting line of taking their dream or belief and making it their life’s destiny.
As you learn how to be unstoppable this year, you will see that planning and strategy are only effective if you put them to use. How do you take that first step of your plan for the year? What does it take to turn that dream or belief you’re carrying close to your heart into a tangible destiny?
This month, you’ll hear from more about this journey of turning a belief into a destiny from someone very near and dear to the 4word community and someone very familiar with following after a desire: Liz Forkin Bohannon, founder of Sseko Designs, an accomplished speaker, and best-selling author of Beginner’s Pluck: Build your life of purpose and impact now. Liz was also named by Forbes Magazine as one of the top 20 public speakers, and Bloomberg Magazine named Liz as one of the top social entrepreneurs to watch.
In the last episode, you met Melissa Peak with Amazon Web Services. You were likely able to very quickly pick up on the fact that Melissa truly wants to see women just like her grow and succeed in their workplaces, but at a healthy pace that brings true joy and fulfillment to them while also honoring God and the path He has laid out for each of us.
In this episode, the conversation concludes by tackling why women take on tasks and responsibilities that we KNOW are not meant for us, and Melissa walks through what a healthy planning and strategy session for your new year goals and plans could look like.
Welcome to Season 4 of Work, Love, Pray! This season will feature inspirational stories and God moments from 4word women who are not afraid to be unstoppable for their Creator. Share in these conversations with women who have come up against obstacles and setbacks and have not only figured out how to overcome those things but have learned to be even stronger and more focused on their end goal of being unstoppable for Christ and the work that He has called us to do for His glory.
To kick off this year's conversations, host Jordan Johnstone spoke with Melissa Peak, Geographic Leader, AMERICAS GEO, Enterprise Skill Transformation at Amazon Web Services. Melissa has more than two decades of experience leading organizations to growth and customer success, while building an engaged workforce. Melissa discusses how the process of planning and strategizing for a brand new year can be a beneficial practice BUT is not without the possibility of running into some roadblocks. And some of those roadblocks might even come from the planner themselves.
Thank you for being a listener for three seasons! We hope you'll listen to our new podcast, Driven 4word, available on all major listening platforms.
On this episode, Kim King, author of the book, When Women Give – The Adventure of a Generous Life, and former attorney and executive in the Law Department of Exxon Mobil Corporation, talks candidly about why she is so passionate about helping others learn how to live generously and why she believes God wants us to give to others.
There are times when goals—even the most well-planned and well-intentioned ones—slip into more of an antagonist role and instead of inspiring us, they start to make us feel like failures and want to give up.
Is this because the goal was a bad goal? Or is it because our expectations of that goal and its timeline were a bit aggressive?
On this episode, Christin Cardone McClave, the Chief Growth Officer of AchieveNEXT, a human capital advisory firm serving middle market companies in various stages of growth, chats about what goals have meant to her, personally and professionally.
Which team culture do you think is more productive: one that regularly includes positive affirmation and genuine expression of gratefulness, or one that includes minimal feedback and more tasks being given out than moments of gratitude? It's probably a no-brainer.
As a leader, you may want to be genuinely positive and grateful to your team, but if it isn't something that comes naturally to you, starting a regular practice of gratitude and creating a belonging culture might appear like too daunting of a task.
On this episode, Trina Lee, manager of the 4word Mentor Program and non-profit professional, offers simple and genuine ways that you can bolster company culture with gratitude. She also shares examples of how she has implemented gratitude into her belonging culture at work.
Click the link for this episode's show notes: https://4wordwomen.org/podcast/episode-22-showing-gratitude-at-work-simplified/
How do we get gratitude in the spotlight? Is it really a practice that could negatively impact your workplace reputation? What does workplace gratitude even look like?
On this episode, Cynthia Nwaubani, a corporate banking executive from Nigeria, shares an incredible story of gratitude for where her life has gone and what she has learned along the way.
Click the link for this episode's show notes: https://4wordwomen.org/podcast/episode-21-does-workplace-gratitude-make-you-look-weak/
On this episode, Rev. Dr. Nicole Martin, Senior Vice President of Ministry Impact at American Bible Society, talks about what community has meant to her throughout her life, and why community has the potential to give you a powerful, unshakable confidence.
Click the link for this episode's show notes: https://4wordwomen.org/podcast/episode-20-confidence-only-your-community-can-bring/
On this episode, Marion Medina, 4word's new Director of Programs, shares what she believes God's role is for community in everyone's lives. She also discusses how listening—really listening—to each other is the best way to build bridges in communities that might be experiencing some fractures.
Click the link for this episode's show notes: https://4wordwomen.org/podcast/episode-19-how-listening-can-build-bridges-in-community/
On this episode, Elizabeth Knox, founder of MatchPace, an organizational effectiveness company that helps teams work well and live well, and author of the upcoming book, Work Reimagined, talks about why de-prioritizing has been key to her making it through the pandemic workflow and shares the advice she would give to anyone desperate to add balance and boundaries to their life.
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On this episode, Dr. Mollie Bond, director of development operations for Lutheran Community Services Northwest and author of the upcoming devotional, Hopelessly Hopeful During Separation: 28 Daily Devotionals of Hope for Those Experiencing Marital Separation, shares her advice for the times when tough, life-altering decisions will need to be made in the name of giving yourself better quality of life.
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On this episode, Lisa Payne, Retired Vice Chairman and CFO of Taubman Centers, Inc., talks about the topic of generosity, especially joyful generosity. Lisa has spent a lot of time learning how best to steward what God has given her and is here to help all of us understand and practice more joyful generosity in our lives.
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When you’re in the middle of (or just coming out of) a trying situation (you know, like a PANDEMIC), hearing about “financial planning” and “getting ready for retirement” might just feel like salt in your wounds. But if money was discussed more openly and confidently, many of us might have had different financial reactions and experiences during the pandemic.
The good news is it’s never too late to start working on your financial planning and planning for retirement. On this episode, Judy A. Hulsey, a private wealth advisor with Ronald Blue Trust, shares her advice for planning for the future, no matter where you are in life.
Click here for this episode's show notes!
Women in the workforce are constantly working toward something. Working to get a pay raise, working to be project lead, working to get a seat at the boardroom table. The secret ingredient to being successful at all of that? Confidence.
Catherine Gates, the Executive Director for Women in the Marketplace, joins the podcast to discuss how she has developed her confidence over the span of her career and discusses her new book, The Confidence Cornerstone: A Woman's Guide to Fearless Leadership.
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What is the first feeling you experience when someone compliments you? How do you first feel when someone corrects you or offers constructive criticism? How we process what others think of us is heavily influenced by what we think of ourselves, which is why understanding "self-perception" is so closely tied to growing as an individual.
Jessie Niespolo, a Senior Strategy Lead on Google’s Automotive Retail Team and co-founder of 4word: Detroit, talks about how she's built up confidence in herself over her career, and shares her advice for sharing your worth with others in a way that doesn't come across negatively.
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In this episode, Patricia Asp, 4word Board Member and founder of ASPire, shares why she's so passionate about helping companies embrace more inclusive values, and how she hopes ASPire will help hardwire company culture for sustainability.
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On this episode, Alva P. Adams-Mason, Group Manager of Multicultural Business Alliance and Strategy and Multicultural Dealer Relations for Toyota Motor North America and 4word Advisory Board member, discusses how she found ways to advance her faith while advancing her career. She also talks about why mentors were vital for her to find a way to balance her life inside the walls of corporate America as well as outside those walls as a parent.
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In this episode, we talk about getting to a place where we’re OK with not being OK. Are you cringing? Is your heart beating a little faster? Did your ears just perk up, even though everything in you is wanting to just skip this episode and keep pushing through your day? Then this episode is for you.
Dr. Shannan Crawford, licensed clinical psychologist and leadership consultant, joins the podcast to talk about why we are so reluctant to admit when our mental health is suffering, and how she herself has learned when it's time to pause and let God open His waiting arms to us for rest and renewed strength.
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Sandi Mitchell, CEO of Apex Catalyst Group, takes us into the topic of “commanding your inner committee” and why mastering this is a crucial step in achieving effective inner strength.
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If you had to give your daily rest practices a performance review, how would you do? In a work culture driven by results, it’s entirely possible that “rest” has all but fallen off your radar. Kyla Cragg, manager in AppleCare Engineering with Apple and a Project Manager for Inclusion & Equality, joins the podcast to chat about when she realized rest isn't something you need permission to do and shares how she's learned to rest without guilt.
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Shae Bynes, co-founder of Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur and author of Grace Over Grind: How Grace Will Take Your Business Where Grinding Can’t, knows all about balance and when it's out of whack. She joins the podcast to share three tips she'd give any woman in the workforce who is struggling to bring order to her life.
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This episode's guest, Diane Darling, has ridden the wave of change becoming crisis many times in her life, and her desire is to see her story and experience comfort and embolden those who are living out life-altering experiences.
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Johanna (José) Zeilstra, CEO of Gender Fair, joins the podcast to talk about what Gender Fair is doing to drastically move up the timeline of gender equality in the workforce and how you, the consumer, can help bring positive change to your favorite companies.
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Is your team struggling to function effectively in your pandemic work arrangement? Joi Freeman, founder and CEO of Remnant Strategy, joins the podcast to talk about how to adapt to the ever-changing face of teamwork and why it is vital we all remember one simple fact: we are all human.
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Molly Fletcher joins the podcast to talk about entrepreneurship, how to identify what you're chasing in your career and life, and how to make sure you balance your ambition with your values.
Molly will be moderating our VIRTUAL 2021 4word 10th Anniversary Celebration Gala with former Olympian Mary Lou Retton on February 27, 2021, from 7-8PM CST. Click here to purchase your tickets now for a night you don't want to miss!
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Dawn F. Landry, author of ARMORED, joins the podcast to talk about how she was stretched and pressed into becoming a "care coach" for her husband through three major, life-threatening illnesses.
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Liz Forkin Bohannon, founder of Sseko Designs, joins the podcast to talk about how she listened to Holy Spirit-inspired decisions and pivoted Sseko in 2020, and lays out how her resilience saved the company.
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Dr. Debra Dean, President and CEO of Dean Business Consulting, talks about how she’s protected her time spent with her six children and four grandchildren and discusses why she believes women in the workplace should use their business savvy to set airtight boundaries for their families.
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Lisa Adams, coach, mentor, and leader of 4word: Saratoga Springs, returns to the podcast (catch her March episode here) to talk about making intentional living a reality and shares her tips for staying sane and grounded this holiday season.
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On this episode, Valkyrie Lang, Investment Advisor Representative at Chisholm Trail Financial Group, an independent financial planning firm in Austin, TX, lists out the financial goals all women should aim for and how anyone can start making their financial future more secure, no matter your starting point.
Click the link for this episode's links and resources: https://4wordwomen.org/podcast/episode-22-what-financial-planning-looks-like-for-women/
On this episode, Elizabeth Knox, founder of MatchPace, shares simple steps to keep in mind when giving in to the "nudge" to make a big career change and talks about a couple of helpful tools MatchPace has developed to help women set themselves up for success, no matter where they are in their career.
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On this episode, Lauren Milsaps, a 4word mentor living in Miami, graciously talks about how the death of her grandfather was made even more unbearable by years-long rifts within her family and how she is working to help her loved ones find unity.
When something unexpected pops up (we're looking at you, pandemic!), how we respond is incredibly reflective of the level of emotional intelligence we possess. “Emotional intelligence” is a term you’ve likely heard of but maybe don’t know exactly what it means. Dr. Katherine Pang, licensed psychologist, founder/Clinical Director/Managing Psychologist of Lakewood Wellness Partners, founder of the Christian Life Institute, and member of 4word: Dallas, shares what healthy emotional intelligence can look like and why being emotionally intelligent can strengthen your Christian walk.
You know those quizzes that randomly show up on our social media feeds that inevitably draw us in? They reveal incredibly important information about you like, "Which color matches your personality?" or "Which pizza topping best describes you?" While those quizzes are just fun and games, there IS an underlying truth to them: we all want to know what makes us unique.
We continue this month’s conversation on confident leadership by exploring the world of “assessments,” what they mean in the grown-up world, and learning how they can be used to help you be the best leader you can be. Alli Worthington, speaker, author, coach, and entrepreneur who cofounded the Blissdom Conference, discusses how using popular personality assessments to tap into your personality will help you discover and utilize your most effective leadership style.
Confident leadership (no matter how big or small your leadership role is) just makes you feel good as a person, and yet it’s something that so many professionals struggle with. Why? How do we change that?
In this episode, Jill Perrin, an executive coach and a 4word mentor from Dallas, Texas, shares best practices for learning to be more confident and why vulnerability is a big determiner in whether or not you'll succeed.
How often do you find yourself wishing for just a few more hours in your day? It’s OK to wish for that when you’re on vacation (no one ever wants that to end!), but your everyday life shouldn’t routinely leave you wishing for longer days. In today’s COVID-19 workplace, time management is even more crucial than it was before, since you may be working outside the structure of an office but still needing to meet all the same deadlines and expectations.
Kristen Montigny, an executive and life coach (and also a 4word Member Insider coach!), shares her professional tips for reimagining what time management looks like in today’s workplace culture.
Talk to any professional woman and she will have heard the term “work life balance.” It’s something we’ve talked about many times at 4word, and it’s likely one of the top things discussed among professionals. But what about "work/life integration?" What's the difference?
Emma Sharma, the Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Company Secretary of Valiant Integrated Services and 4word Advisory Board member, chats about why we should be embracing integration over balance and how to avoid just "making it work."
When something really exciting happens in your life, or you stumble across something new and interesting or just plain fun, you tell people about it, right? The same feelings of excitement and wanting to tell others should be true of our faith, too. There’s one big hurdle that many of us have met or anticipate coming up against, though: where do you even begin to share your faith at work?
Nicole Arnold, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for an electric cooperative in Asheboro, NC, and a former lobbyist, shares what your spiritual walk can look like in your workplace and how to use your faith to navigate the current environment in the office and the world.
As Christians, we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ every day. For some of us, that may be easy to do. But what about when you’re at work? Dr. Denise Daniels and Shannon Vandewarker, co-authors of Working in the Presence of God: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Work, share their research to help us all become more confident in living out our faith at work everyday.
Hearing God and being able to follow His guidance in your life is a massive part of growing spiritually. So how do we get some quiet in our lives? Predictably, it’s not an easy thing to do, but it is possible and it is worth the effort in the end. Patty Ross, former executive with Nike and Apple and 4word Board Member, talks about what silent retreats and making time for daily quiet have helped her achieve in her career and personal life.
How often do you think of your workplace as your mission field? If you said, "Not very often," don't worry; you aren't alone. Kim Vastine, a Dallas/Ft. Worth area realtor and the Chaplain for 4word: Southlake, explores why we struggle to bring our faith to work and the advantages we have as Christians in the workplace.
In this episode, we hone in a little more on the lies we believe and discuss limiting beliefs. These go slightly beyond the lies we believe and dive into deeper, potentially more detrimental thought patterns and behaviors. Kristen Stockton, a business performance consultant, executive coach, and the chair of 4word: Washington D.C., coaches us through how to release ourselves from limiting beliefs.
Have you ever felt inadequate? Have you ever questioned the true value you bring to the world each day? Have you ever found yourself avoiding risky situations or big “next steps” because the fear of failing was greater than the hope of succeeding? Susan Tolles, 4word's Director of Local Groups and Member Insider, talks about the lies we all believe and how their shared foundation is fear.
JoAnne Baldwin, marketer at PitchBook and marketing co-director for 4word: Seattle, discusses why she goes into a networking situation with the intent to encourage others rather than simply use them for their connections and shares tips for you to reinvent the way you network.
At work, you’re likely surrounded by people with tons of experience and business savvy that could truly help catapult you to your career dreams…but how do you even begin to approach the topic of getting their help? Diane Paddison, founder of 4word, shares her advice for utilizing the people in your circles and creating a network of allies.
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Conflict is an unavoidable part of life; we will all be in some kind of disagreement before we die. Maybe at work, maybe in a relationship, or maybe even at church. Lisa Adams, coach and leader of 4word: Saratoga Springs, talks about conflict and how you can try to avoid it with better communication.
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Have you ever had a disagreement with someone and you thought there was literally no way either one of you was going to make it out alive? Conflict pops up anywhere and everywhere and doesn’t really care about swarming into your life at a convenient time. Conflict also has this knack for twisting the truth and warping the reality of the situation.
Sandi Mitchell, CEO of Apex Catalyst Group, joins the podcast to share her insights on navigating conflict with some tried-and-true tactics and a little bit of neuroscience.
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Trina Lee, a non-profit professional and manager of the 4word Mentor Program, joins the podcast to talk about belonging culture and why it’s important for any size company to prioritize. Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
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What makes a good boss? What makes a bad boss? If you are a boss, how can you know where you lie on the spectrum? Kelly Thurman, speaker, facilitator, acute strategist, and 4word's Board Chair, joins the podcast to share her "platinum rule" anyone can follow to improve the quality of their leadership. Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
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When you show up to work each morning, do your feet suddenly feel like two giant bricks? Have you lost track of time just staring at your computer screen, unmotivated to move onto the next task? Lori Berry, a woman in finance and co-founder of 4word: Southlake, joins the podcast to talk about ruts in life and how to pull yourself out of them. Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
Lisa Lewis, Transformational Leadership Coach and 4word mentor, walks us through the journey to finding your purpose and how it involves a lot of "trying on." Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
This time of the year, giving usually means swapping presents with loved ones. But giving can (and should) go way beyond presents. So what does that look like? Melissa Hinnant, owner of Grace and Lace and a Shark Tank entrepreneur, talks about why she built an entire business centered on her desire to always give. Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
If you were asked to define "scarcity mindset," what would you say? Is it something you think you struggle with? Is it a bad thing? S. Renee Smith, advisor, coach, and strategic partner, joins the podcast to discuss why the scarcity mindset is prevalent and what type of mindset we should all focus on having. Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
All of us will experience grief in some way in our lifetimes, but grief is a special phenomena in that we will all walk through it in our own unique way. Kristin Brown, vice president of communications for the Institute for Faith, Work and Economics, shares her raw and real journey through grief and why she has come to liken grief to an empty canvas. Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
Many of us long for community, and when you find it, that community can be one of the most enriching parts of your life. Your role in your community, however, should not be a passive one. You should be looking for ways to influence your community, so they can turn around and influence the world. In this episode, Dina Dwyer-Owens, Brand Ambassador and Board Member of Neighborly (formerly Dwyer Group®), talks about the single key to bringing your community to the next level of effectiveness: values. Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
Women in the workplace are a group being impacted at an alarming rate with issues that often make zero sense and cause undue stress and uncertainty, ultimately brewing feelings of resentment and overall disunity in the workplace. Racism, ageism, sexism, and many other issues affect us in the workplace and then bleed outside the office and into daily lives, too. Joi Freeman, a highly successful business woman and 4word woman, talks about what it's like to be a single woman of color in the workplace, and how her status carries over to the church. Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
Self-care can be incredibly beneficial to your physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing, but only if it's self-care that actually feeds you. On this episode, Enneagram coach Beth McCord walks through each Enneagram type and how each type has different things that make them tick. Knowing what makes you tick will also help you know what you need to keep your tank full! Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
On a scale of one to ten, how much joy does your life currently bring you? Marie Kondo shook us all - in the best possible way - with her quest to help us simplify our homes and let them truly bring us peace and joy. But why let our houses have all the fun? Sandy Olsson, founder of The Master's Program for Women and a 4word Mentor, joins the podcast to talk about how to simplify your life and give yourself the chance to live intentionally. Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
All of us will have an "off" day here and there, but what do you do when those days turn into weeks or months? Dr. Deb Gorton, licensed clinical psychologist, shares her expertise on mental health and mental illness, and dives into how the church can better support those within their congregation who are dealing with mental illness. Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
Who are you, really? In this episode of Work, Love, Pray, producer, author, and 4word Advisory Board member Kathleen Cooke shares how she has learned to identify and be confident in who she is, and how Esther from the Bible offers some inspiration for overcoming imposter syndrome. Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
Overworked, overstressed, and over it? It's time to let boundaries into your life. Dr. Mollie Bond, the Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations for Moody Bible Institute, shares her tips for creating and protecting space in your life at work, in your personal life, and within your church community. Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
Brenda Bertrand, communications specialist and life coach, joins the podcast to dive into emotions and their role in the workplace. Brenda shares from the heart about how to find that healthy emotional balance that will benefit you and your office. Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
Patty Ross, former Nike exec and 4word board member, joins the podcast to discuss change and transition in your life, a shift that all of us experience at some point. Patty shares her personal tips for navigating this chapter in your life with confidence. Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
Jenni Catron, speaker, author, and founder of The 4Sight Group, walks through her personal leadership journey and shares her tips and best practices for leading well (and that includes leading yourself). Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
In this episode of "Work, Love, Pray: Real Talk Grounded in Truth," Debra Fileta, licensed counselor and founder of TrueLoveDates.com, talks all things relationships. Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.
In this launch episode of 4word's new podcast, "Work, Love, Pray: Real Talk Grounded in Truth," Rachel Nelson with Her Worth International talks about her upcoming entrepreneurship online course called The Pattern. Hosted by Jordan Johnstone.