Stumbling Toward Eternity | Josh White 423

Dr. Gary Lawrence is the founder and director of New Life Dynamics Christian Counseling Ministries, and author of his bestselling book, Rejection Junkies. After 20 years as the host of his own radio show, Life Mastery Counseling with Dr. G, Dr. G has personally met with and coached more than 6,000 clients and has inspired thousands more on radio, television, and stage. Dr. G specializes on breaking down the damaging effects of rejection and the way in which this trauma manifests throughout all phases of life. In Rejection Junkies, Dr. G helps readers to recognize the circumstances that hold them hostage, keeping them stuck, and making them bitter. Check out Dr. Gary's work here!

Jordan Raynor is a leading voice of the faith and work movement. Through his bestselling books (The Sacredness of Secular Work, Redeeming Your Time, The Creator in You, etc.), keynote speeches, podcasts, and devotionals, Jordan has helped millions of Christians in every country on earth connect the gospel to their work.  In addition to his writing and speaking, Jordan serves as the Executive Chairman of Threshold 360, a venture-backed tech startup which Jordan previously ran as CEO following a string of successful ventures of his own.  Jordan has twice been selected as a Google Fellow and served in The White House under President George W. Bush. A sixth-generation Floridian, Jordan lives in Tampa with his wife and their three young daughters. The Raynors are proud members of The Church at Odessa. Find more about Jordan here, and get his newest book here!

Brandon Harvath is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Christian Care Ministry, the nonprofit 501(c)(3) Association of Churches that manages Medi-Share. Prior to CCM, Brandon held leadership roles with Highmark, Cigna, Independence Blue Cross and MBNA/Bank of America. Most recently, Brandon served as President at Saint Francis Healthcare, a hospital system in Wilmington, DE. Brandon resides in Melbourne, Florida with his wife and 7 children, ages 18 to 3, and loves serving in his local church.  Join us for a conversation about Brandon's life of faith, family, and committing to God's plan. Find more about Brandon here!

Mark A. Mears is a #1 Best Selling author, keynote speaker, consultant, and visionary business leader. He has a significant track record of building stakeholder value—driving innovation and profitable growth among world-class, high-profile brands such as PepsiCo/Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Frito-Lay, JCPenney, NBCUniversal, and The Cheesecake Factory.  Today, Mark serves as Chief Growth Officer for LEAF Growth Ventures, LLC—a consulting firm inspiring individuals, teams, and organizations to find purpose in fulfilling their true growth potential while making a positive, lasting difference in the world.  Mark has just released his new book titled, The Purposeful Growth Revolution: 4 Ways to Grow from Leader to Legacy Builder.  Mark is also a member of the Senior Leader Network within Conscious Capitalism, Inc., a global organization whose mission he shares: Elevating Humanity Through Business.   Find out more about Mark and get his book here!

In a recent episode of the Eternal Leadership podcast, we were honored to host Michelle Spadafora, the founder of Faithful Workouts. Michelle's biblical perspective on integrating physical and spiritual health offers a refreshing approach to wellness.   The Synergy of Faith and Fitness Michelle shares how physical health and spiritual well-being are deeply interconnected. She explained that taking care of our bodies is not only a matter of physical health but is also intertwined with our spiritual lives. This holistic approach underlines the importance of nurturing both aspects harmoniously.   Small Habits, Big Results Our discussion's key focus was the power of small habit changes. Michelle emphasized that dramatic lifestyle overhauls are often less effective than minor, consistent adjustments in our daily routines. By integrating simple practices into our physical and spiritual lives, we can achieve substantial and sustainable results.   The Role of Community and Support Michelle highlighted the importance of community and mutual support in maintaining physical and spiritual health. She believes in the strength of shared experiences and the encouragement of being part of a supportive network. This sense of community is vital in staying motivated and committed to our health goals.   Overcoming Challenges with Faith Throughout the conversation, Michelle stressed the role of faith in overcoming health challenges. She shared how a solid spiritual foundation can provide the resilience and perspective needed to navigate the ups and downs of any health journey.   Faithful Workouts: A Brief Overview While our conversation centered on the principles behind Michelle's approach, the practical application of these ideas in her Faithful Workouts program is worth noting. Designed specifically for women over 40, Faithful Workouts offers more than just exercise routines. It encompasses over 500 workout videos, healthy eating plans, and faith-based encouragement, all aimed at nurturing the body and the spirit.   About Michelle Spadafora Michelle, a mother of three with over 30 years of marriage, brings a genuine and approachable style to health and fitness. Her passion for cooking, her love for laughter, and her appreciation of life's simple joys like a glass of wine or french fries, make her relatable and inspirational. Her mission extends beyond physical fitness; it's about reminding people of their intrinsic value and the love they deserve.   Discover more about Michelle and her holistic approach to health at Faithful Workouts.

In this episode of the Eternal Leadership podcast, we delve into the unique concept of "Marketplace Mission Trips" with Mike Henry Sr., CEO and Lead Instigator of Follower of One. These innovative trips are designed to integrate faith into the workplace, offering both 2-week online and 6-week offline versions. Participants engage in daily devotionals, prayer, and evening calls to share experiences and encouragement. The program focuses on building spiritual strength, transforming mindsets, and experiencing God's work firsthand. Testimonies from diverse professionals like entrepreneurs, CEOs, nurses, and consultants highlight the profound impact on their work and faith.   Mike Henry Sr. is the CEO and Lead Instigator of Follower of One, deeply committed to helping individuals live out their faith in the marketplace. His mission is to mobilize believers to serve and inspire others, aiming to be a full-time minister in all aspects of life.   For more details, you can visit Follower of One. Follower Of One - Community for Marketplace Christians

David consults, coaches, and trains sales organizations and sales professionals to tap into the power of orange to grow their business and clientele. David’s sales efforts have consistently exceeded expectations resulting in hundreds of millions raised by him and his sales teams.  David’s success is built on relationship building skills that have significant impact on sales as well as personal and professional growth. David has served in several leadership roles for large financial and investment organizations, most recently at Inland Securities Corporation as Senior Vice President and Managing Director.  Prior to joining Inland, David was Director of Financial Services with AEI Fund Management Inc., and was responsible for wholesaling public and private net lease real estate investments and 1031 property exchanges through financial planners.  Additionally, David represented mutual funds at Carnegie Capital Asset Management LLC, sold trust services to financial brokers at Piper Jaffray, and sold limited partnerships to oil and gas companies at Dain Bosworth and Dyco Petroleum Corporation.  He also has significant experience in leading sales growth and teams in the manufacturing and technology industries. David’s 40+ years of sales experience has culminated into an astute understanding in human behavior, specifically as it relates to the cultivation of high value business relationships.  Through practical experience and deliberate observation, David has mastered the capacity to attract a steady stream of high profitable relationships.  By his own admission, he can accurately assess a prospect’s behavioral tendencies in 90 seconds.  David is a sought-after speaker, presenter and trainer who enjoys sharing his proven strategies and practical tips to other sales professionals.  David believes strongly that anyone with the right mindset can accomplish far more than they thought possible. David has a Bachelor of Arts from Ferris State University in Michigan and an MBA from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota where he was also an instructor.  David also had the privilege of serving in the US Army National Guard for 6 years before he officially began his sales career. David is based in Minneapolis where he resides with his wife Randy of 57 years and enjoys spending time with his daughter Lisa and grandson Josh.  He is an avid golfer, expert art and antique collector and recent cancer survivor.  David’s favorite business book is “The Fred Factor” by Mark Sanborn. Listen to this episode to hear more on David's path to success, and check out his book here!

Dr. Wallnau is a strategist, futurist and compelling communicator who has shared platforms with Ben Carson, Mike Pompeo, and best-selling authors Ken Blanchard and John Maxwell. He has conducted training for the United Nations and spoken at Harvard, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the London School of Theology. With a thirty-year background consulting business and non-profits, Lance’s students represent a global tapestry spanning governments, CEOs, entertainers, and entrepreneurs. He currently directs the Lance Learning Group, a strategic teaching and consulting company based in Dallas, Texas. Join us for a conversation on how to find the calling God has set out before you, and how to pursue it with purpose. Find more on Lance here!

This week we had the great pleasure of speaking with Craig Thayer, M.D. Craig Thayer's destiny was mapped before he was even born. Being put up for adoption at birth and finding his family at nine months was just the start of his unorthodox journey. Craig Thayer battled a reading disorder that went undiagnosed until he was fifty-five years old. Despite that and numerous other challenges, the calling in his heart to become a surgeon grew louder and louder. It didn’t quit when he suffered a twisted intestine, witnessed his adopted mother’s alcohol problem, grieved her death when he was just eighteen, healed from a skull fracture in college, agonized over his adopted father’s fight for his life, and struggled to find his self-esteem. Through adversity, he has become a well-respected surgeon, head of trauma, community leader, and forever a jokester.  The miracles that touched his life were his saving grace and shined a light on his purpose. Craig Thayer’s intent in sharing his stories are to give you hope, inspiration, a sense of belonging.  His passion is to inspire and motivate others to live their life to the fullest. We are all more alike than we know. Find more about Craig and his book here!

In a recent heart-to-heart, business leader Donna Johnson shared insights from her new book, "My Mentor Walks on Water". A harmonious blend of faith and personal development, the book has emerged as an illuminating guide for those journeying on a spiritual path seeking to forge a profound connection with the Divine.   Discovering the Mentor Within and Beyond   The crux of Donna's book is Mentorship. "At various stages in our lives, we seek guidance and wisdom. But have we ever considered that perhaps the greatest mentor of all might be Jesus?" Donna ponders. Her book elucidates the journey to recognizing one's intrinsic worth as seen through the eyes of God and harnessing the mentorship opportunities found in Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and even the people we encounter in life.   The Significance of Mentorship   During our chat, Donna shared, "Mentorship goes beyond learning specific tasks. It's a deep dive into understanding oneself, reconciling with past experiences, and carving out a purposeful future." She highlights the transformative experience of self-awareness and the importance of seeking guidance in every dimension of our existence.   Walking on Water and Its Reverberations   The evocative title "My Mentor Walks on Water" isn't solely about biblical miracles. It's a clarion call for readers to challenge their boundaries, to dare beyond the ordinary, and to be catalysts for change. "Dare to lock eyes with Jesus and embrace the impossible," Donna entreats.   About Donna Johnson   Renowned business leader Donna Johnson has etched her name in the annals of the corporate world with her indomitable spirit and unparalleled insight. She was honored with the prestigious Profession's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. She has graced many publications, most notably, "Think and Grow Rich for Women", a collaborative effort between The Napoleon Hill Foundation and Sharon Lechter.   Alongside her illustrious career, Donna and her husband Thomas divide her time between homes in Wisconsin, Arizona, and Sweden. Family is a cornerstone of her life, with five children: Nathaniel, Nicole, Joseph, Olivia, Alexandra, and step-son Max, and eight doting grandchildren. Their charity initiative, "Spirit Wings Kids", stands as a beacon of their altruism, nurturing orphanages in India and Africa and supporting a Permaculture farm and soccer academy in Uganda.   For a deeper dive into Donna Johnson's philosophy and insights, visit https://www.mentordonnajohnson.com/.   Our enriching dialogue with Donna Johnson emphasized the importance of introspection, nurturing one's faith, and embracing challenges. As Donna succinctly states, perhaps it's time we all took a leap of faith and walked on water.