In this episode of A Hire Purpose Podcast, Brett & Sarah sit down with our very own Christina from the Vanderbloemen team to talk about career pivots, church ministry, and the lessons learned along the way. Christina shares her journey from teaching in public schools to serving on church staff, and now to helping candidates find their calling through executive search. She offers practical resume advice—what to include, what to avoid, and how to highlight both paid and volunteer experience—while also reminding us not to be too hard on ourselves as every season builds us for what's next. Whether you're a young professional, a teacher considering a change, or someone dusting off your resume for the first time in years, this episode is packed with wisdom and encouragement.

What does it look like to help Gen Z and Millennials step into their God-given purpose? In this episode, we're joined by Hannah and Aaron Barnett, founders of Generation Distinct, a movement equipping young adults to make wrong things right in the world.

They share their powerful personal stories, the heart behind Generation Distinct, and the honest challenges of building something that lasts. From discovering your unique calling to bridging the passion-to-action gap, this episode is full of practical wisdom, encouragement, and hope for the next generation of leaders.

Whether you're a young adult seeking direction or a leader investing in emerging voices, this conversation will inspire and challenge you to believe the best, build with intention, and choose your hard.

In this episode of A Hire Purpose, Brett and Sarah sit down with Margaret and Sarah—the sister duo behind Fraulein Boot Company—to talk about how a COVID-era idea turned into a flourishing family-run business. From selling cowboy boots out of a shared booth to running multiple pop-ups, hiring a growing team, and building a beloved brand from scratch, this conversation is packed with real talk and refreshing wisdom.

We cover:

• The heart behind starting a business mid-pandemic
• The challenge (and beauty) of hiring the right people
• Family dynamics in entrepreneurship
• Boundaries, burnout, and behind-the-scenes moments you won't see on Instagram
• Encouragement for anyone dreaming about their "someday"

Whether you're a young professional, aspiring entrepreneur, or just love a good origin story—you'll leave this episode inspired.

In this episode of A Hire Purpose Podcast, Brett and Sarah sit down with author, speaker, and culture expert Jenni Catron to talk about her journey from working in the Christian music industry to leading churches and launching her own company, The Foresight Group. Jenni shares how a corporate merger opened her eyes to the power of organizational culture—and why it's not just about mission statements or free pizza. We unpack themes from her new book Culture Matters, including how young leaders can influence culture from any seat, how to discern when it's time to leave an organization, and why leadership is sacred work.

Highlights:

• The moment Jenni realized "people are the point"
• Her unexpected path from record labels to church leadership
• How to assess company culture during interviews
• Tips for building a thriving culture team
• When staying in a toxic culture might do more harm than good

🎧 Don't miss this conversation—it could change the way you lead.

In this episode, Brett & Sarah sit down with Brady Shearer, founder of Pro Church Tools and a leading voice in the world of digital ministry and church communications. Brady unpacks his 15-year journey from rural youth group volunteer to entrepreneur running a 30-person creative agency—sharing how "calculated delusion" has shaped his approach to risk, leadership, and building something that lasts.

Brady talks about:

• Why every leader needs a little bit of delusion—and how to keep it calculated
• The emotional highs and lows of leading something from scratch
• How to earn trust and influence in a church culture that resists change
• Creative ministry lessons from his first refund, first video, and first big win
• What young leaders can do now to start building trust and traction
• How he balances being a husband, dad, and CEO with a mind that never stops
• The importance of relational equity, clear mission, and paying people well

Brady's insights are both practical and deeply personal—offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to start, sustain, and scale a vision-driven business or ministry.

In this conversation, Brett & Sarah sit down with Christa Neidig, a dynamic leader and operations director at Breakaway Ministry, to explore her journey from college intern to a purpose-driven professional. Christa shares her experiences transitioning from corporate roles to finding a true fit that aligns with her values, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, mentorship, and work-life balance.

Christa talks about:

• The value of prioritizing fulfillment over a job title or paycheck
• How recognizing when a role isn't a good fit can lead to long-term career growth
• The role of mentorship and asking the right questions in navigating career transitions
• Real-world examples of shifting from corporate life to a mission-driven environment
• Practical tips for young professionals on identifying and leveraging their unique strengths
• Balancing humility with confidence to thrive in leadership roles

Christa's insights offer actionable advice for anyone looking to create a meaningful and balanced career journey.

In this conversation, Brett & Sarah sit down with Michael Useem, professor of management at the Wharton School and author of Leading Up. Michael discusses a key leadership skill that involves influencing and guiding those in higher positions within an organization.

Michael talks about:

· The difference between "leading up" and "managing up"

· How leading up is crucial for career advancement and organizational success

· The importance of effective communication with superiors to share ideas and feedback

· Real-world examples, including the rescue of the 33 miners in Chile, where upward leadership played a critical role

· Practical advice for young professionals on how to engage with their bosses and improve workplace dynamics

· Actionable steps to develop leadership skills, particularly in understanding the perspectives of both superiors and colleagues

· The value of initiative in leadership roles and how it impacts career growth

Michael provides valuable insights for young professionals seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and navigate workplace dynamics more effectively. This conversation is filled with practical advice for those looking to take initiative, communicate effectively, and ultimately grow in their leadership journey.

In this episode of A Hire Purpose, Brett & Sarah sit down with Anna Morgan—co-pastor, leadership coach, and author of Growing Women in Ministry—to discuss leadership, resilience, and supporting women in ministry.

She explores:

· Her journey of stepping into leadership after unexpected tragedy.

· The challenges and opportunities for women in ministry.

· How organizations can better support female leaders.

· The power of mentorship and emotional intelligence in leadership.

· Effective communication strategies for leadership development.

Whether you're in ministry, leadership, or passionate about developing strong leaders, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical takeaways.

🔍 What's Your Enneagram Type? 🤔✨ In this episode of A Hire Purpose, Brett & Sarah dive deep into the Enneagram with Michelle Manuel, an expert in personality typing and pastoral counseling. Whether you're new to the Enneagram or looking to use it as a tool for leadership and personal growth, this episode is packed with insights!

👥 What You'll Learn:

✅ The history and purpose of the Enneagram 📜

✅ How to use it as a tool (not a crutch) 🛠️

✅ The 3 Enneagram stances & how they impact leadership 💼

✅ How different types handle conflict in the workplace ⚖️

✅ Why self-awareness is key to personal and professional growth 🌱

In this conversation, hosts Brett Connolly and Sarah Gonzales interviews Rob Roozeboom, the founder of Rise Ministries. They discuss Rob's journey from being a rural kid in Iowa to starting a ministry and writing a book. Rob shares his heart for ministry and the importance of stewarding one's life. They also talk about the concept of grief and self-pity, the role of community in making decisions, and the coexistence of joy and grief. Rob shares stories of the impact his ministry has had on individuals and his hope for his book to point people to Jesus.

Learn more about Rob: https://riseministries.com/about/rob-roozeboom

Check out Rob's book Broken Still Chosen: https://riseministries.com/brokenstillchosen