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The Called to Flourish Podcast

The Called to Flourish Podcast

Robert Wachter 467 Episodes Aug 10, 2026

The Called to Flourish Podcast from Best Christian Workplaces equips and inspires Christian leaders to transform their workplaces into beacons of hope where faith comes alive, people and organizations flourish, and the Gospel shines through flourishing culture.

Episodes

He Didn't Ask for a 360. He Chose What to Do With It. — David Corry, Liberty University
He Didn't Ask for a 360. He Chose What to Do With It. — David Corry, Liberty University Aug 10, 2026 33:20 Not every leader gets to choose when growth arrives. David Corry, General Counsel for Liberty University, didn't choose the timing — but what he did with the opportunity is the real story. When Liberty University committed to investing in its leaders' growth, David Corry was one of the executives given the chance to go through a full 360 assessment. In this episode, David shares why he chose to le
Women Aren't Leaving Over Pay — They're Leaving Because No One's Listening — Joanna Meyer, Denver Institute for Faith & Work
Women Aren't Leaving Over Pay — They're Leaving Because No One's Listening — Joanna Meyer, Denver Institute for Faith & Work Jul 27, 2026 40:16 Most Christian leaders believe they value women's full contribution — but the structures working against that belief are often invisible until someone measures them. Leaders in Christian-led organizations are facing a quiet retention problem: women disengaging not over pay, but over voice, access, and influence. This episode unpacks how ordinary policies — job descriptions, meeting habits, mentors
The Leaders Who Stay Stuck Already Know Their Blind Spots — Amy Clark, Growth Minded Leadership
The Leaders Who Stay Stuck Already Know Their Blind Spots — Amy Clark, Growth Minded Leadership Jul 13, 2026 25:50 Most leaders who plateau aren't missing feedback — they're avoiding what honest feedback requires of them. Self-identification, it turns out, is only 20% of self-awareness. Leadership development has a blind spot of its own: it focuses heavily on skills while overlooking the inner work that growth actually demands. In this episode, leadership strategist and executive coach Amy Clark explores w
Your People Aren't Burned Out—Their Work May Be Draining the Life Out of Them — Jay Bransford, Best Christian Workplaces
Your People Aren't Burned Out—Their Work May Be Draining the Life Out of Them — Jay Bransford, Best Christian Workplaces Jun 29, 2026 37:48 Many leaders assume disengagement is primarily a motivation or performance problem. But what if the real issue is that people no longer experience their work as life-giving? In this episode, Jay Bransford, President & CEO of Best Christian Workplaces, explores why Life-Giving Work is the second most powerful driver of employee engagement. Drawing from decades of workplace culture research, he expl
The Strongest Ministries Don't Ignore the People Closest to Them — Michael Martin, ECFA
The Strongest Ministries Don't Ignore the People Closest to Them — Michael Martin, ECFA Jun 15, 2026 32:34 Many Christian-led organizations are passionate about serving people externally—but struggle to care for the health of their own teams internally. In this episode, Michael Martin, President & CEO of ECFA, explains why flourishing cultures require intentional stewardship, leadership rhythms, and a deep commitment to caring for people well. Drawing from ECFA's experience building a 100th-percentile
You Can't Build External Trust on Internal Instability — Dr. Rob McKenna, WiLD Leaders
You Can't Build External Trust on Internal Instability — Dr. Rob McKenna, WiLD Leaders Jun 1, 2026 45:17 Trust problems rarely begin with strategy. More often, they begin with fear, self-protection, and leaders trying to create stability externally while struggling internally. In this episode, Dr. Rob McKenna—CEO of WiLD Leaders and bestselling author of Whole Leaders, Wild Trust—shares why trust grows through honesty, vulnerability, and truth-telling rather than perfection. He explains how internal
Engagement Hit a 15-Year High. So Why Are 39% Still Disengaged? — Dr. Doug Waldo, Best Christian Workplaces
Engagement Hit a 15-Year High. So Why Are 39% Still Disengaged? — Dr. Doug Waldo, Best Christian Workplaces May 18, 2026 26:33 Employee engagement across Christian-led organizations has reached its highest level in 15 years. Yet nearly 4 in 10 employees still cannot bring their best to work each day. In this episode, Dr. Doug Waldo, Research Director and Senior Consultant at Best Christian Workplaces, explains what the 2026 State of the Christian Workplace Report reveals about trust in leadership, employee voice, and the
Diversity Isn't the Problem—Disconnection Is — Dr. James Borishade, Circle Urban Ministries
Diversity Isn't the Problem—Disconnection Is — Dr. James Borishade, Circle Urban Ministries May 4, 2026 33:18 Many leaders assume diversity creates tension on teams. But the deeper threat to engagement isn't difference—it's disconnection. In this episode, Dr. James Borishade of Circle Urban Ministries explains how leaders can create psychological safety across differences so teams remain unified around mission. He shares practical lessons on listening well, modeling humility, and repairing trust when lead
Ask for Feedback Before the Decision: How DiscipleMakers Built a 100th Percentile Ministry Culture — Peter Krol and Tom Hallman, DiscipleMakers
Ask for Feedback Before the Decision: How DiscipleMakers Built a 100th Percentile Ministry Culture — Peter Krol and Tom Hallman, DiscipleMakers Apr 20, 2026 30:52 What happens when leaders invite feedback before decisions are finalized instead of after they're announced? In this episode of Called to Flourish, Peter Krol, President, and Tom Hallman, Vice President of DiscipleMakers, share how their ministry built one of the most engaged workplace cultures in their sector by creating clear rhythms of listening, collaboration, and shared ownership. Rather than
Data-Driven Leadership: How Facing the Truth About Culture Builds Trust and Strengthens Your Church — Brad Cooper, NewSpring Church
Data-Driven Leadership: How Facing the Truth About Culture Builds Trust and Strengthens Your Church — Brad Cooper, NewSpring Church Apr 6, 2026 30:06 What happens when leaders stop guessing about culture and start listening to what their teams are actually experiencing? In this episode of Called to Flourish, Brad Cooper, Lead Pastor of Culture and Direction at NewSpring Church, shares how honest feedback and engagement surveys helped their leadership team face cultural blind spots, respond to a season of challenge, and build deeper trust across
Forgiveness in the Workplace: How Leaders Build Trust and Heal Culture — Tara VanderSande, Best Christian Workplaces
Forgiveness in the Workplace: How Leaders Build Trust and Heal Culture — Tara VanderSande, Best Christian Workplaces Mar 23, 2026 35:11 What happens when unforgiveness quietly shapes your workplace culture? In this episode of Called to Flourish, Tara VanderSande, Senior Engagement and Talent Consultant at Best Christian Workplaces, explores why forgiveness is not just a personal spiritual practice—but a leadership discipline that directly impacts trust, innovation, and organizational health. Drawing from engagement survey data, Sc
Fantastic Teams: Why Flourishing Is a "We," Not a "Me" — Jay Bransford, Best Christian Workplaces
Fantastic Teams: Why Flourishing Is a "We," Not a "Me" — Jay Bransford, Best Christian Workplaces Mar 9, 2026 22:56 Why do some teams flourish while others stall — even under strong leadership? In this episode of Called to Flourish, Jay Bransford, President & CEO of Best Christian Workplaces, explores why thriving cultures are built on unified teams aligned around shared mission and trust. Drawing from Scripture and decades of research-backed insight, Jay explains how fantastic teams handle conflict, cultivate

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