Curious Humility with Dave Bates Ep. 53

-Connect with Dave on LinkedIn: Here -Learn more about his business: Here -Check out his book, Engineering Wisdom: Here -Subscribe to Faith at Work & Home monthly newsletter: Here -Shop Faith & Work Podcast Swag: Here    In this episode, Carole Evans sits down with Dave Bates to talk about something many leaders quietly struggle with: the belief that being stressed, busy, and constantly working means we're successful. Dave shares honestly from his own career journey, including his years at IBM and the intense season that followed when his company became a venture-funded startup. Working from early morning until late at night, sacrificing family and personal time, and constantly chasing the next goal eventually taught him a difficult lesson: being busy isn't the same as being effective and stress isn't proof that we're doing the right thing. Together, Carole and Dave explore what it looks like to step out of the cycle of hustle and learn to live and lead from a healthier place. One of the most powerful ideas in this conversation is that we can't fix an out-of-balance life while we're moving at 70 miles an hour. Sometimes we have to slow down long enough to see what is actually out of balance. Dave also shares about his book, Engineering Wisdom, which explores how leaders can turn knowledge into wise action and develop leadership that lasts. Most importantly, this conversation challenges us to consider whether the person we are at work is consistent with the person God has called us to be everywhere else. Are your priorities actually reflected in the way you're spending your time? That might be a question worth sitting with this week.  

Connect with Gabby Here: Website Subscribe to the monthly newsletter: Faith at Work & Home Shop Here: The Faith Work and Home Collective Shop   Gabby Walker didn’t grow up planning to become a wedding photographer. Her journey began when friends asked if she would learn enough photography to take pictures of her daughter and once she picked up a camera, she didn’t want to put it down. A chance opportunity to help photograph a wedding opened the door to something new. But loving photography didn’t mean it came easily. In this episode, Gabby shares how mentors gave her opportunities to learn, practice, fail, and eventually discover her own creative style. She and Carole talk about why we need people who are willing to share what they’ve learned instead of guarding their knowledge and why sometimes growth requires someone to push us into the deep end before we feel completely ready. Gabby also gets practical about the business of photography. She shares how she learned to think about expenses, profitability, experience, pricing, and knowing when it’s time to give yourself a raise. They also discuss the fear that can come when you increase your prices and suddenly the inquiries stop coming. Throughout the conversation, one theme keeps resurfacing: trusting God when you can’t see the whole picture. Gabby shares an incredible story about feeling prompted to purchase a backup camera before a wedding. During the ceremony, her primary camera stopped working just seconds before the couple’s first kiss. Because she had prepared, she was able to switch cameras and capture the moment. It became another reminder of something God has been teaching her throughout her life: she doesn’t have to be perfect or have everything figured out. She simply needs to trust the God who called her and believe He will equip her for what He asks her to do. If you’re building something, learning something, or sitting in a season where you’re wondering whether you made the right decision, this conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to understand the full picture to take the next step.   Your faith matters. Your work matters. Your family matters.   #faithandwork #faithdrivenentrepreneur #Christianbusiness #walkingbyfaith #christianpodcast

Connect with Elisha on his website: Everstead Accounting The Faith Work & Home Collective: Shop Here Faith at Home & Home LinkedIn Newsletter: Subscribe Here   What if your career isn’t separate from your calling? In this episode of the Faith & Work Podcast, Carole talks with CPA and entrepreneur Elisha McFarlin about the remarkable way God has woven together his faith, family, career, and a years-long calling to serve in East Africa. Elisha shares how his wife first felt called to overseas missions years before they were married. Rather than dismissing the idea because he didn’t share the same initial calling, Elisha chose to respect her relationship with God and begin praying about what God might be doing in their future family. Over the years, pieces began falling into place. While studying accounting, Elisha unexpectedly spent more than a year working virtually with a team of East African accountants. Years later, his family connected with Naomi’s Village in Kenya, an organization that happened to be praying specifically for a U.S. accountant to join their work. What once seemed like an unrelated professional experience suddenly looked a lot like preparation. As Elisha and his family prepare for this next chapter, he has also launched Everstead Accounting, providing bookkeeping, fractional controller services, tax planning, tax preparation, and other accounting support for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. In this conversation, Carole and Elisha discuss: • Recognizing how God may be preparing you long before you understand why • Respecting and praying through a calling together as husband and wife • Why your professional skills can be valuable Kingdom skills • Using business and entrepreneurship to help fund and support ministry • Following God when His direction requires leaving something comfortable • Trusting God when finances and circumstances don't unfold the way you expected • How seemingly unrelated experiences can become preparation for your future calling • Why ministry doesn't always look like preaching, teaching, or traditional missionary work • The story of Elisha leaving his work to follow Elijah • What Proverbs 3:5–6 looks like when you actually have to live it Elisha offers an important encouragement for anyone who has wondered whether their professional skills really matter to God: organizations doing Kingdom work still need accountants, administrators, business leaders, technology professionals, communicators, and countless other gifts. You don't have to separate your career from your faith. God may already be using the work you're doing today to prepare you for something you can't see yet.   Your faith matters. Your work matters. Your family matters.    

Resource Links: The Faith Work and Home Collective  - Shop Here Buy Makenzie's Book Here   Is it possible to pursue excellence without becoming consumed by perfectionism? Mackenzie Shelton is a real estate agent, team leader, author, wife, and mother of four serving clients in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. After beginning her career in property management, Mackenzie planned to pursue nursing but an honest conversation with her husband redirected her toward real estate. Her early years in the industry included unpredictable results, raising young children, working around her husband’s demanding schedule, and learning much of the business through experience. After joining a team that showed her what she did not want in leadership, Mackenzie eventually helped launch a new team and later stepped into leading it independently. Today, she leads six agents and three full-time staff members. Mackenzie and Carole discuss what separates a healthy real estate team from an unhealthy one. Profitability matters, but so do culture, collaboration, and the way people are treated. In an industry that can become competitive and transactional, Mackenzie strives to create an environment where agents support one another and clients are served with honesty. That commitment has sometimes required difficult decisions—including walking away from clients whose requests conflicted with the team’s ethical standards. Mackenzie explains why short-term gain is never worth compromising integrity and why doing the right thing remains important even when someone else appears to be succeeding through shortcuts. The conversation then turns to perseverance. In a difficult real estate market, self-employed professionals and entrepreneurs must remember the deeper reason behind their work. Mackenzie shares how her original “why” was creating options for her husband, whose physically demanding career could not continue forever. After achieving that goal, her purpose evolved: she now wants to add value to others and help people who are facing struggles similar to those she experienced a decade ago. That desire led Mackenzie to write The Serenity Solution: Freedom from Control, Perfectionism, and the Pressure to Do It All. The book is written for high-achieving, driven people who are experiencing burnout, stress, and anxiety under the weight of impossible expectations. Mackenzie and Carole speak candidly about the pressure women can place on themselves to maintain a successful career, a spotless home, perfect meals, and an ideal family life. They reflect on the importance of repeatedly adjusting their priorities and choosing relationships, memories, faith, and presence over appearances. Mackenzie also shares the Scripture that has followed her since childhood: “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” —Matthew 11:30 NKJV This verse offers a powerful question for anyone carrying the weight of perfectionism: Is this a burden God gave me, or is it one I placed on myself? The episode concludes with practical ways to encourage real estate professionals. Mackenzie explains that referrals are one of the most meaningful ways clients can support an agent. A sincere acknowledgment of the agent’s work and care can also be deeply encouraging, especially during a challenging market.

Stop Striving. Start Building with God. What if the biggest obstacle to growing your business isn't your strategy but your striving? In this episode of the Faith & Work Podcast, Carole Evans welcomes executive consultant and faith-driven entrepreneur Philip Hunt for a powerful conversation about building a business from God's principles instead of the world's pressure. Philip shares his remarkable journey from addiction and burnout to living completely by faith, where God faithfully provided for his family in extraordinary ways. Through that season, he discovered that true Kingdom leadership isn't fueled by hustle, it's built through intimacy with God, healing, and learning to trust His direction. Together, Carole and Philip explore what it means to lead from rest instead of exhaustion, why entrepreneurs must heal from past wounds before they can lead others well, and how God's design for work began long before the Fall. Whether you're launching a business, leading a growing company, or simply trying to balance faith and work, this episode offers practical encouragement for building something that lasts, without sacrificing your soul in the process.   Interesting in connecting with Philip? Check out his website here: Philip Hunt   Don't forget to check out our YouTube Channel to watch this episode: Faith & Work YouTube Channel   If you enjoyed today's episode, I would love to have you leave a review and rating! Every rating and review help more people to find these conversations. 

Have you ever wondered if the work you're doing today is preparing you for something greater? As we kick off Season 3: Meeting Faith-Driven Entrepreneurs, we're beginning with a conversation that reminds us that God rarely wastes a season. Whether you're building a business, exploring a new calling, or simply trying to be faithful where you are, this episode will encourage you to trust that every experience has purpose. In this episode, Carole sits down with Cally Logan, teacher, author, speaker, and contributor to Crosswalk, to discuss how God faithfully used each chapter of her life to prepare her for the next one. From spending more than a decade in the classroom to becoming the author of three books and writing for one of the largest Christian publishing platforms, Cally shares how seemingly ordinary opportunities became stepping stones toward God's greater calling. Rather than chasing success, Cally chose to remain faithful with the opportunities God placed in front of her. Her story is a powerful reminder that our careers, our gifts, and even our waiting seasons are all part of God's preparation process. If you're a Christian entrepreneur, aspiring author, educator, creative, or someone seeking clarity about God's purpose for your work, this episode offers practical encouragement and biblical wisdom for trusting God's timing. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why faithfulness in today's responsibilities prepares you for tomorrow's opportunities. How God often builds our calling one step at a time. The connection between teaching, writing, and serving others. Why entrepreneurship often begins long before you start a business. How to recognize God's preparation in everyday work. Encouragement for aspiring writers, speakers, and Christian entrepreneurs. How trusting God's timing leads to greater purpose and impact. Connect with Cally Learn more about Cally's books, writing, and ministry by visiting her website and following her work through Crosswalk. Instagram: @Callylogan  LinkedIn: Cally Logan Website: Cally Logan Books: Hang In There Girl The Wallflower That Bloomed A Love Letter Journey While Waiting on God's Best Connect with Faith & Work If today's conversation encouraged you, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And leave a review! Every review that we have, helps more people find these conversation!   

Resource Links: Faith Drive Entrepreneur - Buy on Amazon here The Web of Identity  - LinkedIn Article  The Faith Work & Home Collective  - Shop Here!   Your work matters but it was never meant to define your worth. In this episode of Faith & Work, Carole Evans explores Chapter 2 of The Faith-Driven Entrepreneur and the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. Through an honest look at her own struggle with pride, achievement, and professional identity, Carole examines what happens when our success, talent, or performance becomes the foundation of who we believe we are. Whether you are standing on a mountaintop of success or walking through a difficult professional valley, your identity remains secure in Christ. You are not your greatest accomplishment, your most painful failure, your business, your position, or your productivity. You are loved, chosen, and accepted by God. This episode will encourage you to stop working for your identity and begin working from the identity you have already received in Christ.   Thank you for listening! If today's conversation encouraged you, share it with a friend and leave us a review! 

What does the Bible really say about entrepreneurship?   Many people think faith belongs in church and business belongs at work but what if God intended them to go together from the very beginning? In this first episode of Season 3 of Faith & Work, we're kicking off a three-part study of The Faith Driven Entrepreneur by exploring one foundational truth: God is the original Creator, and because we are created in His image, we are called to create. Whether you're launching a business, leading a team, serving in ministry, building a nonprofit, or simply trying to honor God in your everyday work, this episode will encourage you to invite God into every decision, every meeting, and every opportunity He places before you. Carole shares personal stories about learning to embrace God's calling, discerning between seeking wise counsel and seeking approval, and trusting God's timing when new ideas and opportunities arise. You'll also discover why the book of Genesis provides one of the strongest biblical foundations for work, leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurship. This episode also marks an exciting new season for Faith & Work! Beginning this season, you'll find video episodes on YouTube, new Bible study resources, and practical faith-based tools designed to help you grow in your relationship with Christ while living out your calling at work and at home. In this episode, you'll discover: Why God is the original Creator and what that means for your work. How Genesis lays the foundation for biblical entrepreneurship. The difference between seeking wise counsel and seeking approval. Practical ways to invite God into your workday. How to discern whether an idea is from God or simply a passing thought. Why trusting God's timing is essential for every faith-driven leader. Encouragement for anyone who feels called to build something that doesn't fit the expectations of others. Scripture Referenced Genesis 1–4 Resources Mentioned The Faith Driven Entrepreneur Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller This Week's Challenge This Week's Challenge Take some intentional time over the next two weeks to deepen your understanding of God's design for work and calling. Read Chapter 1 of The Faith Driven Entrepreneur. Read Genesis 1–4, taking your time rather than rushing through it. Read each chapter at least three times, allowing God to reveal new patterns and insights. Ask the Holy Spirit to confirm what He is calling you to create in this season. Spend a few quiet moments listening for God's direction before making your next decision. Write down any ideas, Scriptures, or impressions that stand out as you pray and reflect. Let's Stay Connected! Etsy Shop YouTube Channel Website   Keywords: Christian entrepreneurship, faith and work, biblical entrepreneurship, Genesis Bible study, faith-driven entrepreneur, Christian leadership, Christian business owner, biblical purpose, calling, work as worship, Christian podcast, entrepreneurship and faith, Christian business, Genesis creation, purpose at work.

Faith in Our Community: Finding Purpose After Paralysis | Matthew Porterfield’s Story of Faith and Hope What happens when life takes a direction you never expected? At 18 years old, Matthew Porterfield’s life changed forever after a dirt bike accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. With dreams of college, independence, and a future that looked completely different, Matthew found himself learning how to live life again. But Matthew’s story is not defined by what happened to him, it’s defined by what God has done through him. In this episode of Faith & Work, Matthew shares his journey of faith, resilience, and discovering purpose after paralysis. He talks about the moment he truly surrendered his life to Christ, the accident that changed everything, and how God used his story to encourage others. From wheelchair racing in the Paralympics to building a career, raising a family, serving his church, and encouraging others walking through difficult seasons, Matthew shares a powerful reminder: our circumstances do not determine our purpose. This conversation is part of our Faith in Our Community series, where we explore how we can better understand, support, and love people walking through experiences different from our own. In this episode, you’ll hear: Matthew’s testimony of coming to faith as a teenager How God prepared him before a life-changing accident Learning independence after becoming paralyzed at 18 Competing in wheelchair racing and the Paralympics How faith changes the way we view hardship Practical ways to support someone living with a disability Why being a friend is often more important than trying to fix someone’s situation Matthew’s encouragement: “Life in general is gonna let you down. But God won't. He's always gonna be by your side, whether you realize it or not.” If you know someone walking through a difficult season, someone adjusting to a new reality, or someone who simply needs encouragement today, this episode is a reminder that God is still working, even when life looks different than we imagined. Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”   Don't forget to check out the video edition of this episode on YouTube  

Grief changes everything. One phone call can alter the course of a life forever. For Christina Woodruff, that phone call came just months after losing her brother. At only 27 years old, she suddenly became a widow when her husband, David, a police officer, was killed in a motorcycle accident. Overnight, the future they had planned together disappeared. Yet this episode isn't simply about tragedy. It's about what happens next. It's about learning to survive when every day feels impossible. It's about returning to work because bills don't stop when you're grieving. It's about finding faith when you don't understand God's plan. And it's about discovering that healing isn't something you "finish" it's something God faithfully walks you through one step at a time. What Grief Really Looks Like One of the most eye-opening parts of Christina's story is how invisible grief can be. As a hairstylist, she spent her days helping others feel beautiful while quietly carrying unimaginable pain. To those around her, she appeared to have it all together. Inside, she felt emotionally numb. It's a powerful reminder that the people we work with, worship beside, and encounter every day may be carrying burdens we'll never see unless we slow down long enough to notice. How Christians Can Better Support Someone Who Is Grieving One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that grieving people don't need us to fix their pain. They need us to faithfully show up. Christina shares that some of the most common Christian phrases although well intended were often the least comforting. Instead of hearing, "God has a plan," what she needed most was someone willing to simply sit with her, acknowledge the pain, and remind her she wasn't alone. If someone in your church, workplace, or family is grieving, this episode offers practical ways to love them well: Show up long after everyone else has gone home. Continue inviting them into everyday life. Don't be afraid to say the name of the person they lost. Listen more than you speak. Don't try to explain God's plan while they're in the middle of their pain. Remember that grief has no timeline. When Church Doesn't Know What to Say One of the most heartbreaking moments in Christina's story is sharing how isolated she felt within the church after losing her husband. Many people weren't intentionally unkind they simply didn't know what to say. But silence often hurts more than imperfect words. This conversation is a loving challenge to every church community: don't let fear keep you from showing up. An awkward conversation is almost always better than no conversation at all. Healing Isn't Linear Perhaps the greatest encouragement from this episode is that healing doesn't happen all at once. For Christina, healing came through countless "micro movements" of hope, small reminders of God's faithfulness that slowly rebuilt a future she never imagined. Years later, therapy helped uncover grief she didn't realize she was still carrying. Eventually, she discovered something that changed her life: "I feel like what truly helped me heal and move forward is learning how to be okay with me... I was putting so much on Jonathan and expecting him to fill a void that was not his to fill." That truth reaches far beyond widowhood. We all have a tendency to expect spouses, careers, friendships, children, or success to fill places in our hearts that only Christ can satisfy. In This Episode You'll Learn What it's like becoming a widow at 27 years old. The unique challenges of grieving the sudden loss of a police officer spouse. Returning to work while carrying overwhelming grief. Why grief often remains invisible. How churches can better support grieving families. What to say and what not to say, to someone who has lost a spouse. Why healing isn't linear. The value of Christian community during seasons of loss. How therapy can become part of God's healing process. Why only Jesus can truly fill the deepest voids of our hearts. Share This Episode If this conversation encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone walking through grief or someone who wants to better support a grieving friend, coworker, or family member. You never know how one conversation might help someone feel seen, understood, and reminded that they are not alone. Keywords: Christian grief, young widow, police officer widow, grieving the loss of a spouse, Christian podcast on grief, widow encouragement, grief and faith, supporting a grieving friend, church and grief, healing after loss, Faith & Work Podcast, finding hope after losing a husband. Want to watch the conversation? What out this episode on our YouTube Channel Connect with Christina Woodruff on Facebook