the Faith Forward Leadership Podcast

Love your hacker and the one leadership habit to avoid mission drift, Heather Wilson (GiveSendGo)

“We need to be intentional. We need to look for those opportunities. And so, how do you get your team to continue on the mission? You have to be intentional with your words.” -Heather Lyn Wilson, co-founder and co-CEO of GiveSendGo // “The sooner you can realize that the enemy is a liar and he’s going to mess with your thoughts and your emotions and your brain, and you can allow him to, or you can keep that intentional connection, so that you don’t drift, that you understand what the truth is about who God says you are.”
In this conversation, Heather Wilson, co-founder and co-CEO of GiveSendGo, shares how a crowdfunding platform became a practical expression of Christian hope. She and Becca Spradlin discuss the early startup years, building a mission into the product itself, and what it looks like to stay anchored when leadership gets messy.
They discuss how GiveSendGo has navigated growth, conflict, innovation, and personal spiritual rhythms while refusing to drift from its core purpose of sharing the hope of Jesus.

Private equity that advances faith in business with a multigenerational vision, David Reece (Reece Fund)

“Culture is your philosophy or religion externalized.” – Pastor David Reece, business leader and private equity firm owner // David Reece shares about integrating Christian conviction, leadership, and private equity to preserve culture, build people, and steward businesses for the long haul.
We discuss how faith shapes daily rhythms, leadership decisions, company culture, and acquisition strategy across multiple industries. Reece shares how his path from real estate and ministry conviction led into manufacturing, acquisitions, and the Reece Fund. The heart of the episode is a practical framework for leading businesses with integrity, honor, and a multi-generational vision.

Richard Blackaby on the Pastor-Business Leader Disconnect, Abiding, Higher Education, and Cultivating Joy in Your Family

“Don’t assume that because people are watching what you’re doing that they understand what you’re doing.” – Dr. Richard Blackaby // What if the key to lasting leadership and faithfulness in your organization isn’t driven by more effort, but by Jesus-centered obedience and abiding? Dr. Richard Blackaby reveals how embracing God’s ways—especially in business and leadership—can transform your impact, prevent mission drift, and lead to a legacy of true influence.
In a candid conversation, Richard shares how his journey from pastor to discipler of business leaders, and the stories that shaped his understanding of God’s presence in the marketplace, can inspire you to see your work as a divine calling. Discover how abiding in Christ isn’t just a spiritual discipline—it’s a game-changer for making wise decisions, cultivating joy, and avoiding the subtle pitfalls that threaten organizations and families alike.

From Near Collapse to Legacy Planning: Lessons from a Faith-Driven Boat Builder (Joan Maxwell, Regulator Marine)

“God wastes nothing.” – Joan Maxwell, president and co-founder of Regulator Marine
How did a history major and an agronomist end up founding a culture-rich, God-honoring, boat-building business? Listen to Joan Maxwell, president and co-founder of Regulator Marine, share how she and her husband started Regulator Marine in 1988. Learn how they intertwine faith and business to create a culture rooted in integrity, excellence, and stewardship. Four decades into leading Regulator, Joan shares personal stories, practical practices, and lessons learned about maintaining faith-driven values in a high-performance manufacturing environment.

$11BN ESOP focused on trauma-informed leadership, service-driven culture, and growth (Rusty Bland, KeHE)

“You need to be a Fear-Not Leader.” -Rusty Bland, president of KeHE Cares Foundation; “Performance and abiding are congruous.” // Rusty Bland shares his 20+ year journey at KeHE, exploring how faith, leadership, and organizational culture intertwine. Discover practical frameworks for integrating faith at work, the importance of wholeness in leadership, and the vision for a kingdom-oriented business community.

Combatting Incarceration with Cosmetology & Christ / Christie Luther, RISE Program

“If you see a need, you have been called.” – Christie Luther, founder and executive director of RISE Program // “Follow His voice, even if it looks crazy.” // Discover how Christie Luther turned personal tragedy into a life-changing ministry empowering incarcerated women through cosmetology, faith, and community support. This episode highlights the power of faith-driven initiatives to foster healing, restore families, and create new vocational paths for justice-involved individuals.

From Fortune 200 Exec & "Sunday" Christian to launching US Christian Chamber

“I used to worship my work and now I use my work as worship.” -Krystal Parker, President of the US Christian Chamber of Commerce // Becca Spradlin and Krystal Parker discuss the intersection of faith and business, focusing on the U.S. Christian Chamber of Commerce. They explore the significance of Christian businesses in the U.S. market and the challenges faced by leaders in the Christian business community. Krystal shares her personal journey of transformation and the importance of rest and abiding in faith. The conversation emphasizes the impact of Christian businesses on society and the future vision for the Christian Chamber movement.

High Impact Business, Stewardship vs. Ownership, Purpose Trusts with Pete Ochs

“Risk wisely. I don’t think we take enough risk in our life.” // “The start of a high impact life is really to understand we’re not the owner, we’re the steward. Really get that burned into your soul.” // “Work diligently. Live simply. Give generously. Risk wisely. Love unconditionally.” – Pete Ochs, Capital III

Pete Ochs shares his journey from success and significance to surrender, emphasizing the importance of stewardship, purpose, and faith-driven leadership. Discover practical insights on creating lasting legacy businesses that honor God and truly serve people. Learn about Purpose Trusts and other practices Pete has put in place to help enterprises maintain an enduring impact.

Great businesses, Greater purpose: The rewarding, tiring, and life-changing journey (Mike Sharrow, C12)

“We’re never done as leaders. That’s the tiring part. You get good, and then you lose sight of things… You’re never done.” // “If ministry and faithfulness only happen when you’ve got free time and margin, it won’t happen.” // “My work was not a distraction or barrier to my intimacy with God. It was actually the context of me working it out.” – Mike Sharrow, CEO of C12
In this episode, Mike Sharrow and Becca Spradlin discuss the integration of faith and business, focusing on the concept of business as a ministry. They explore the challenges and opportunities of living out one’s faith in the workplace, the importance of intentional leadership, and the impact of faith-driven business practices on company culture and community. The conversation also touches on the role of C12 Business Forums in supporting Christian business leaders globally.

Success to Significance: Faith, Finances, & Crazy Generosity (Jeff Thomas, CEO of Arkos Global)

“Be a pipeline, not a storage tank.” // “God may be saying to do something different with your personal finances or with your business than what you thought before. … Pay attention to the whisper and lean into that. Keep asking questions. … Once you have that answer, do not back down. Don’t let anybody talk you out of it. Go do it. And there will be blessings that you can’t see for you, for your family, for your employees, … and really for eternity.”

Jeff Thomas, founder & CEO of Arkos Global Advisors, shares his journey from a successful financial advisor to the founding Arkos, a wealth management company that integrates biblical principles into financial planning. He discusses the importance of obedience to God’s calling, the significance of empowering generosity among clients, and the necessity of documenting plans to prevent mission drift. Jeff emphasizes the role of abiding in faith for decision-making and the growing ecosystem of faith-driven investing, encouraging business owners to listen to God’s whisper in decision making.

From start-up to 400-person tech company with 100% NPS (Lisa Nichols, CEO of Technology Partners)

“Faith is force multiplier for good.” – Lisa Nichols, CEO and co-founder of Technology Partners // “AI: Every CIO I know is trying to figure out how much is hype… It’s real and it’s not going away…. The people who learn to leverage AI may replace the people who do not.” // Lisa shares her journey of co-founding Technology Partners with her husband, Greg, and how their faith has been central to their business and family life. Lisa discusses the importance of integrity, community, and leveraging AI responsibly in business. Technology Partners focuses on serving its clients with excellence and giving back to the community. It recently earned a third-party-validated NPS score of 100%, a rare accomplishment in the technology space. She also shares about the impact of their daughter Ally, who was born with Down syndrome and has been an inspiration for Lisa’s podcast and book, Something Extra.

Business Sale: When things don’t go as planned // Business Building: Abiding, Prayer, Growing & C12 (Dom DeLuca)

“I have a bigger congregation than my pastor with people that I touch. That’s a huge difference when you consider the responsibility you have.” // Dom DeLuca, president of New England Temperature Solutions, shares about his journey in integrating faith into his business, including his recent sale of the company. He highlights his experiences with C12, a Christian entrepreneur group, and discusses the importance of abiding in faith while navigating the challenges of business. He emphasizes the significance of listening to God’s voice, trusting in His guidance during transitions, and the legacy he hopes to leave for his employees. The conversation highlights the intersection of faith and business, encouraging leaders to be intentional in their faith application in the workplace.

Why 50% of CEO Transitions Fail, Ownership Change Pivots, & Leadership Succession with Steve Woodworth

“I have seen 150 CEO transitions … about half of them have gone badly.” // “Legacy is in the people and in the values and culture of the organization. The strategy keeps changing.” // Steve Woodworth shares his experience with leadership transitions in both the nonprofit and business sectors. He discusses the challenges and insights that led him to write Lost in Transition, a book that addresses common pitfalls in leadership transitions. Steve’s learning and personal experience transitioning ownership of his own business, Masterworks, illustrate the importance of humility, regular communication, and leadership alignment. To transition well, leaders must focus on the mission and culture and maintain a long-term ownership and governance outlook. These factors enable successful transitions and enduring mission fulfillment. Steve shares his personal journey of letting go of his company and pivoting in transitioning ownership from giving it away to selling to Gloo. Steve candidly shares lessons learned, highlighting the significance of trusting God throughout the process.

Christian Higher Education: Access, Innovation, & Avoiding Drift with Kent Ingle & Michael Steiner (Southeastern University)

“Everybody deserves education. We want to create affordability… but we can never lose the heartbeat. We’re Christ-centered and we’re student-focused.” // In this conversation at Southeastern University, Dr. Kent Ingle and Dr. Michael Steiner discuss the transformative journey of the university over the past 15 years. They delve into the challenges and successes of implementing innovative strategies in Christian Higher Education, focusing on mission-driven growth, accessibility, affordability, and experiential learning. The discussion highlights the importance of staying true to the mission while embracing change and innovation.

Family Legacy, Values, and Living a Life of Impact with Bill High (Author & CEO, Legacy Stone)

“Family is a team. And yet we’re raising it in this hyper individualistic culture. So how do you actually keep your team together when you’re raising your kids in that individualistic culture?” // In this conversation, Bill High shares his journey from a challenging childhood to becoming the CEO of Legacy Stone, a ministry focused on helping families thrive generationally. He discusses the importance of faith in guiding leadership and decision-making, the need to reset family theology in a hyper-individualistic culture, and practical strategies for building intentional family practices. Bill emphasizes the significance of communication, trust, and understanding the generational impact of our actions. He also introduces his new book, ‘The Legacy Life,’ which encourages families to think long-term and plan for future generations.