The Workmatters Podcast

Christian leadership in business goes deeper than trust and communication. This conversation explores what it looks like to build a company that’s redemptive, not just ethical.Brandon sits down with Daman Schuber, co-founder of Schuber Mitchell Homes, and Erin Ackerman, the company’s stewardship lead. They talk about how faith and work show up on an ordinary Tuesday, why generosity and fun are core values, and the one zero-cost place any leader can start building a more redemptive workplace culture.⏱️ Chapters00:56 Moral business or redemptive business?02:28 Born out of generosity and devastation05:47 “This is the Lord’s company”: what it looks like on a Tuesday08:52 Core values: unity, generosity & fun12:27 The game room, and why spaces communicate care14:50 Going beyond benefits: vision trips & sabbaticals18:53 Spiritual growth at work21:24 Praying over business decisions 23:34 Why Schuber Mitchell became employee-owned25:09 How this work changed Erin’s life27:03 Profit, quality & generosity aren’t in tension28:22 Where to start: caring for your people holistically30:32 Workmatters Conference 2027 & Workmatters Institute---TAKE THE NEXT STEP🎓 Join the Workmatters Institute - a transformational 10-session course covering practical teaching, spiritual formation, leadership development, and workplace discipleship.👉 Learn more: https://workmatters.org🎟️ Attend the Workmatters Conference: https://www.workmatters.org/events/conference🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on faith, leadership, and finding purpose in your work.#WorkMattersPodcast #FaithAndWork #ChristianLeadership  #WorkplaceCulture #ChristianEntrepreneur #PurposeDrivenWork

What does the Bible say about work? More than you’ve been told. This episode helps you find purpose at work by starting the story where Scripture actually starts it.The Workmatters team unpacks the four-chapter story of work, and why so many Christians live out a “half story” that treats work as a necessary evil. They explore faith and work through commonly misapplied verses, the subtle pull of the prosperity gospel, and whether your work is transactional with God or formative.If you’ve ever wondered whether your work matters to God, especially in a job you don’t love, this conversation offers a fuller picture.⏱️ Chapters01:04 The stories we tell ourselves about work02:33 Creation, fall, redemption, renewal: the full story of work04:51 Ecclesiastes and reading Scripture descriptively vs. prescriptively08:28 Bible verses we misapply to work11:28 Kingdom business, failure, and the subtle prosperity gospel13:57 Is work transactional or formative with God?17:40 Working from rest instead of resting from work19:03 Philippians 2, “let your light shine,” and work as evangelism22:48 The intrinsic value of work24:02 Faith, justice, and speaking up at work26:21 Ephesians 2:10 and being God’s workmanship28:00 When you hate the job you’re in30:33 Next steps for rethinking your work—🎓 TAKE THE NEXT STEPReady to connect your Sunday faith to your Monday work? Join the Workmatters Institute - a transformational 10-session course covering practical teaching, spiritual formation, leadership development, and workplace discipleship.👉 Learn more: https://workmatters.org🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on faith, leadership, and finding purpose in your work.#WorkMattersPodcast #FaithAndWork #ChristianLeadership  #WorkplaceCulture #ChristianEntrepreneur #PurposeDrivenWork

Servant leadership isn’t saying yes to everything. Often it means saying no, resolving conflict quickly, and doing the hard thing only you can do.Cameron Magee, founder of avad3 Event Productions, joins Brandon and Darrell to talk about what Christian servant leadership looks like in real life. Cameron explains why his company’s name comes from the Hebrew word for work, serve, and worship. He also covers how he builds company culture around core values, why he has “fallen in love with conflict resolution,” and how anyone can lead and serve without a title. The conversation looks at Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and the difference between doing what anybody could do and doing what only you can do.⏱️Chapters0:57 Do you have to be a leader to be a servant?2:26 avad3: work, serve, and worship3:10 Jesus as the model servant leader4:28 “Here to serve” on the wall7:42 Passing core values to a growing team9:08 Culture is what you celebrate and tolerate10:37 Servant leadership isn’t saying yes to everything11:37 Falling in love with conflict resolution14:12 Washing feet: what anyone could do vs. what only you can do16:13 The nos a leader has to say18:24 Pay attention to what you’re procrastinating21:18 Why his first hire would be an executive assistant24:46 Leading and serving without a title27:20 Where to start: simple, but hard29:20 When nothing changes, be faithful30:10 Where to find Cameron31:17 The Work Matters Institute---🔗 CONNECT WITH CameronLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-magee/Website: https://avad3.com/---🎓 TAKE THE NEXT STEPReady to connect your Sunday faith to your Monday work? Join the Workmatters Institute - a transformational 10-session course covering practical teaching, spiritual formation, leadership development, and workplace discipleship.👉 Learn more: https://workmatters.org🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on faith, leadership, and finding purpose in your work.This episode is sponsored by Schuber Mitchell - https://www.schubermitchell.com/#WorkMattersPodcast #FaithAndWork #ChristianLeadership  #WorkplaceCulture #ChristianEntrepreneur #PurposeDrivenWork

Christian leadership starts with humility. Amy Counce, co-founder of Nexus Coffee & Creative, shares how she turned a napkin dream into a values-based business.In this conversation, Amy talks honestly about fear of failure, the pushback she got for being “too young,” trading pride for humility, building a “mentor village,” and why the self-made narrative doesn’t hold up.Learn why mistakes aren’t the end of a calling but part of how God builds it.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro01:03 – Meet Amy Counce of Nexus Coffee & Creative01:44 – The napkin dream: starting with her dad03:09 – What it means to be called outside of ministry04:11 – Why every leader needs a “mentor village”06:20 – The River Market and a 200-year-old building10:46 – Staying connected while your city changes13:10 – Clean, safe, fun: advocating for your neighborhood14:38 – Business as a force for good16:31 – Leading through hard times: pride vs. humility18:12 – Servant leadership: “Lead by Serving”20:50 – How to tell when you’re leading in your own strength21:42 – The 30–45 minute reset before you respond24:10 – Facing doubters: “You’re too young”26:39 – Owning your mistakes in front of your team28:09 – Advice for anyone with a God-sized dream31:01 – The Workmatters Institute—🎓 TAKE THE NEXT STEPReady to connect your Sunday faith to your Monday work? Join the Workmatters Institute - a transformational 10-session course covering practical teaching, spiritual formation, leadership development, and workplace discipleship.👉 Learn more: https://workmatters.org🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on faith, leadership, and finding purpose in your work.This episode is sponsored by Schuber Mitchell - https://www.schubermitchell.com/#WorkMattersPodcast #FaithAndWork #ChristianLeadership  #WorkplaceCulture #ChristianEntrepreneur #PurposeDrivenWork

What does leaving a legacy really look like when your work feels ordinary? It starts with stewarding what God has already put in your hands.Workmatters founder David Roth joins CEO Brandon Swoboda to talk about legacy, leadership transition, and finding purpose at work. After 20 years leading Workmatters, David explains how a moment of journaling while recovering from surgery told him it was time for new leadership. He also shares how the two of them built a healthy handoff, and what God formed in him along the way. Whether you’re leading a company or building spreadsheets, this conversation shows that your work matters to God, and that your legacy is being built right where you are.⏱️ Chapters01:01 What kind of legacy will you leave?01:57 Welcome, David Roth02:43 What does it mean to leave a legacy?04:55 How do you know it’s time to step down?06:11 “Seven epiphanies from God”07:19 Handing your life’s work to a stranger09:29 The pressure of following a founder11:11 Monthly lunches and a healthy leadership transition13:21 Watching someone else lead your vision15:45 The leaders who shaped David’s faith at work18:42 What others say about David’s legacy21:04 Obedience, impact, and the team23:22 What God formed in David over 20 years26:06 Legacy is about people, not money26:46 What’s next: helping individuals flourish28:55 How to start leaving a legacy today30:33 Take the next step: Workmatters Institute--🎓 TAKE THE NEXT STEPReady to connect your Sunday faith to your Monday work? Join the Workmatters Institute - a transformational 10-session course covering practical teaching, spiritual formation, leadership development, and workplace discipleship.👉 Learn more: https://workmatters.org🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on faith, leadership, and finding purpose in your work.This episode is sponsored by Schuber Mitchell - https://www.schubermitchell.com/#WorkMattersPodcast #FaithAndWork #ChristianLeadership  #WorkplaceCulture #ChristianEntrepreneur #PurposeDrivenWork

Toxic workplace or a company where people actually flourish? Simmons Foods CEO Todd Simmons shares how faith, integrity, and putting people first built a healthy company culture. Third-generation leader Todd Simmons talks candidly about carrying CEO pressure as a Christ follower, the product recall that tested his company's integrity, and why ego has to be dealt with before healthy leadership can grow. Todd also shares how Simmons Foods cares for nearly 10,000 team members through chaplaincy, generosity, and on-site health clinics built around shift workers' lives. Plus: why grace for yourself is where leading others well begins.⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 01:00 Toxic culture vs. a company that puts people first 02:10 Meet Todd Simmons 04:28 How faith became part of Simmons Foods' culture 07:47 Healthy cultures make room for bold ideas09:15 Handling pressure as a Christian CEO 14:53 When your faith is tested: the recall decision 18:37 Integrity requires action 20:19 Building a people-first culture 22:00 On-site clinics for hourly team members 25:46 Should you put yourself first? 29:49 Grace, boldness, and caring for yourself 33:19 Take the next step: Work Matters Institute---🔗 CONNECT WITH TODDLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-simmons-3255936/---🎓 TAKE THE NEXT STEPReady to connect your Sunday faith to your Monday work? Join the Workmatters Institute - a transformational 10-session course covering practical teaching, spiritual formation, leadership development, and workplace discipleship.👉 Learn more: https://workmatters.org🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on faith, leadership, and finding purpose in your work.This episode is sponsored by Schuber Mitchell - https://www.schubermitchell.com/#WorkMattersPodcast #FaithAndWork #ChristianLeadership  #WorkplaceCulture #ChristianEntrepreneur #PurposeDrivenWork

Over 70% of professionals say they've struggled with imposter syndrome at some point in their career. In this episode, Darrell and Brandon sit down with Bryan Fittin, CEO and founder of Go Rogue Studio. Bryan shares how he felt like a fraud leading a team of 40 at 25 years old, and why the feeling didn't go away even after landing Walmart as a client. Together they talk about how imposter syndrome shows up at every stage of a career, why it isolates us, and how Christian professionals can respond through practical tools and a clearer picture of God's posture toward them. The tools include naming your inner critic, seeking small wins, and practicing gratitude.⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:55 Welcome to the Work Matters Podcast 1:42 Why 20,000 people search for imposter syndrome every month 2:30 What is imposter syndrome? A working definition 3:40 The hidden loneliness of feeling like a fraud 5:15 Bryan's story: one of Verizon's youngest managers 7:55 How imposter syndrome shows up in your 40s, 50s, and 60s 13:56 Boldness vs. bravery 15:05 Reject it, embrace it, or deny it? What the Apostle Paul teaches 16:56 Recognize it, then go get a small win 19:21 How the kingdom of God flips the script 20:43 Name your imposter 21:53 Where is God when the imposter is loudest? 22:55 "No condemnation": how God sees you 25:27 Wisdom from a trusted circle of advisors 29:15 One takeaway: gratitude and "cease striving" 32:17 Where to find Bryan Fittin 32:43 Take the next step: Work Matters Institute---🔗 CONNECT WITH BRYANLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fittin/Website - https://goroguestudio.com/---🎓 TAKE THE NEXT STEPReady to connect your Sunday faith to your Monday work? Join the Work Matters Institute - a transformational 10-session course covering practical teaching, spiritual formation, leadership development, and workplace discipleship.👉 Learn more: https://workmatters.org🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on faith, leadership, and finding purpose in your work.This episode is sponsored by Schuber Mitchell - https://www.schubermitchell.com/#WorkMattersPodcast #FaithAndWork #ChristianLeadership  #WorkplaceCulture #ChristianEntrepreneur #PurposeDrivenWork

Learn three practical ways to pray when your job is hurting you, and why God isn't offended by angry, confused, or desperate prayers.Hosts Keisha Fowler and Darrell Harvey get honest about what it feels like to be broken by work, whether it's a toxic workplace, burnout from emotionally heavy work, or a job that looked perfect on paper but wasn't. They share personal stories of prayer for problems at work, offer real strategies for prayer when overwhelmed, and walk through three prayer frameworks you can use the next time work hurts.⏱️CHAPTERS[00:00] Intro[01:03] Welcome to the episode: how to pray when work hurts[01:33] When work breaks us [03:42] Darrell's story: the job that should have been perfect[04:10] Where do you even start praying in the pain?[05:00] Petition prayers: "Get me out of here, God"[08:14] The long road to healing[10:19] You're not alone: the power of community[13:18] Prayers that soothe you while you're still in it[14:13] The wall between two prisoners: pain as connection to God[16:19] Slowing down and bringing your body into prayer[21:51] Three frameworks for prayer[22:14] Framework 1: Praying through liturgy[23:47] Framework 2: Writing your own liturgy[25:05] Framework 3: Reminding God who He is[26:36] The Prayer of Unknowing (Thomas Merton)[27:44] Closing: Work Matters Institute---🎓 TAKE THE NEXT STEPReady to connect your Sunday faith to your Monday work? Join the Work Matters Institute - a transformational 10-session course covering practical teaching, spiritual formation, leadership development, and workplace discipleship.👉 Learn more: https://workmatters.org🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on faith, leadership, and finding purpose in your work.This episode is sponsored by Schuber Mitchell - https://www.schubermitchell.com/#WorkMattersPodcast #FaithAndWork #ChristianLeadership  #WorkplaceCulture #ChristianEntrepreneur #PurposeDrivenWork

We’re back with Season 3 of the Workmatters Podcast!In this first episode the Workmatter’s team answers the question every believer eventually asks about their job, purpose, and place in God's story.Whether you're behind a desk, on a job site, or between jobs right now, this conversation tackles the doubt that creeps in when work feels menial or disconnected from faith. Darrell, Brandon, and Keisha dig into what the Bible actually says about faith and work, why most of us start the story of work in the wrong chapter (curse, not calling), and how finding purpose at work starts with seeing your skill set as something God is genuinely proud of.⏱️CHAPTERS[00:00] Intro[01:09] Does My Work Matter to God?[06:58] Why We Doubt Our Work Matters[08:46] The Real Story of Work (Genesis 1 vs. Genesis 3)[14:12] Exodus 31: God's Bragging Rights Over Your Skillset[19:20] Why Unemployment Wounds Our Humanity[24:49] Learning to Receive When You're Used to Giving[29:33] 3 Practical Ways to Remember Your Work Matters[33:16] Closing & Work Matters Institute---🎓 TAKE THE NEXT STEPReady to connect your Sunday faith to your Monday work? Join the Work Matters Institute - a transformational 10-session course covering practical teaching, spiritual formation, leadership development, and workplace discipleship.👉 Learn more: https://workmatters.org🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on faith, leadership, and finding purpose in your work.#WorkMattersPodcast #FaithAndWork #ChristianLeadership  #WorkplaceCulture #ChristianEntrepreneur #PurposeDrivenWork

Faith and Work - How to live out your faith at work with wisdom, legal clarity, and courage, without making it weird.HR and employment law expert Julia Oltmanns (Coca-Cola Consolidated, Zurich, Strategic People Partners) joins the Workmatters team to unpack what it actually means to be a disciple of Jesus at work - legally, practically, and relationally. From starting a Christian employee resource group to praying before your day even begins, Julia shares hard-won wisdom on discernment, workplace boundaries, and building trust-based relationships that naturally open the door to faith conversations at work.⏱️ CHAPTERS  [00:00] Intro [01:07] Meet Julia Oltmanns: HR, employment law & faith [03:31] Staying "neutral" vs. living out faith at work [04:54] Julia's awakening: what God really wanted from her at work [06:55] Starting a Christian employee resource group at Zurich [09:13] Whole-life discipleship and the faith-work gap [10:54] Practicing your faith at work — legally [12:18] Sharing your story without making it weird [14:01] Discernment: knowing when and how to engage [16:16] Demanding your rights vs. showing love [19:03] When your faith request gets denied [21:26] Persecution, blessing, and being a disciple at work [22:20] Case study: how Coca-Cola Consolidated shows up for employees [24:47] Living out love as a workplace pillar [25:58] How love opens doors to faith conversations [29:21] One thing to try tomorrow: start with prayer [31:14] Where to find Julia Oltmanns---🔗 CONNECT WITH JULIALinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-oltmanns/---🎓 TAKE THE NEXT STEPReady to connect your Sunday faith to your Monday work? Join the Work Matters Institute - a transformational 10-session course covering practical teaching, spiritual formation, leadership development, and workplace discipleship.👉 Learn more: https://workmatters.org🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on faith, leadership, and finding purpose in your work.#WorkMattersPodcast #FaithAndWork #ChristianLeadership  #WorkplaceCulture #ChristianEntrepreneur #PurposeDrivenWork