Have you ever met someone who knows how to smile in the midst of a storm? Life’s trials and traumas cannot destroy a person who remains present. Being present requires awareness, trust, and faith. You gain freedom from lingering fear, comparison, and suffering the moment you ground yourself in the present.

Terri Johnson is an inspiring example of being present. She conquered challenging situations throughout her life, which brought her closer to Christ. Now, at this time in her life, Terri faces an entirely new challenge as she deals with a cancer diagnosis. Most people become discouraged after such news. For Terri, she sees it as another opportunity for Christ to show up in her life. She is a person who can find her smile in the midst of uncertainty.

In this episode, we talk about Terri’s life and how to be present in suffering. Terri says that being present is not always easy, but her life proves it’s possible. Over the years, she learned to be more intentional and vulnerable in her humbling journey. She ties her experiences to her relationship with God where she takes life day by day. Terri also talks about the evidence of Christ’s work throughout her life and how being present helps her create support for herself.

Listen as we discuss how God works everything out, especially when we can’t seem to predict the outcome.

Time stamps:

• [02:13] - Terri Johnson describes how her life is a tangle of suffering and positivity.
• [05:02] - “I had to learn to live one day at a time.”
• [07:17] - Terri tells the story of receiving her cancer diagnosis.
• [10:15] - What were Terri’s first thoughts after her diagnosis?
• [12:40] - “I had to learn to ask for help.”
• [14:46] - Terri says she made a decision that not everyone agreed with. What happened?
• [17:12] - Trust God to stay aligned with your Calling.
• [19:30] - Despite uncertainty, you can move forward day by day with confidence.
• [22:08] - God will take care of everything. Terri shares her perspective on how everything works out no matter the outcome.
• [24:16] - What does Terri do to adjust to her life now?
• [26:35] - Terri is exploring what it means to live well and take care of herself. Was there any idea she had to unlearn or shift?
• [29:49] - At this time, what lesson stands out to Terri the most?

• Card Deck: Life Calling Questions
• Christian Life Calling
• Chris Heinz
• Terri’s CaringBridge

A lot of people blindly seek external validation and external purpose first, but this rootless pursuit ends up short-lived. In fact, any pursuit of Calling is shallow if you don’t go internally first to figure out your gifts and who you are in Christ. Being curious about how a thing is made shows the intention of its purpose. Likewise, knowing yourself helps you direct your life with stronger discernment.

Teresa McCloy is a Coach, Speaker, Podcaster, Trainer and Creator of the REALIFE Process® helping people to get a handle on life. She is  also the author of Do What Matters: Live From Rest, Not Rush, Using The REALIFE Process. Teresa walks in faithfulness and obedience as she shares her work with coaches, mentors, and other helpers who want to add the REALIFE Process® to their teachings.

In this episode, we talk about Teresa’s life management process and the spiritual practices under the process. Teresa shares how you can organize your life to prioritize what’s meaningful to you, and honor the life you create in partnership with God. We find the foundation of knowing who we are and whose we are allows us to live out our Calling.

Listen as we discuss life tools such as the Rule of Life concept, the foundational triangle, and living from rest.

Time stamps:

• [00:22] - Teresa McCloy brings her insight on how to live from rest, not rush.
• [02:00] - Why did Teresa write this book?
• [04:43] - Teresa looks back on the spirals of her life, and what made her realize she wanted a different path. 
• [07:43] - Where does the life management framework come from?
• [09:39] - Teresa talks about living from rest where work and ease coexist.
• [11:47] - You get to pre-decide what you say “Yes” or “No” to in life.
• [13:14] - What is a “Rule of Life?”
• [16:01] - In what ways can the “Rule of Life” concept apply to your routines?
• [18:02] - Teresa describes how you can categorize your life and prioritize what’s meaningful.
• [20:51] - Calling comes from both “being” and “doing.”
• [23:38] - You’re never too old for self discovery.
• [26:36] - It’s okay to experiment with how you live out your core Calling.
• [29:28] - Your Calling can be different from season to season.
• [31:07] - “We have to know what the motivation is.”
• [33:16] - Managing your life is a lot like caring for a garden.
• [36:16] - There is nothing new under the sun, but the delivery can differ.
• [38:30] - This is how you do what matters.

• Card Deck: Life Calling Questions
• Christian Life Calling
• Chris Heinz
• Teresa McCloy
• Facebook
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• LinkedIn
• Do What Matters Pre-order Bonuses
• Do What Matters: Live From Rest, Not Rush, Using The REALIFE Process

What do you expect living your Calling to be like? Most people naturally say it’s a life where everything feels aligned and at ease. They would not be wrong, however, let’s not forget that another side of Calling exists. Living your Calling includes the struggles of carrying your purpose out.

Take the Apostle Paul for instance. He specifically writes that Calling brings struggle, toil, and labor. He reflects on the gift of being called by God to persist in his purpose. Are you struggling in your Calling? If you are, remember that God commissioned you for this unique role.

In this episode, we’re talking about struggle and Calling. We’ll read through Colossians 1:25 to 2:3 where the Apostle Paul reflects on his commitment to honor God despite life’s struggles. This talk gives a moment to understand Paul’s journey with his Calling, Christ’s role in this journey, and your journey with your Calling. We reflect on these themes to bring clarity and meaning in our faithful pursuit of Calling.

Listen as we discuss struggle, labor, and the strength God gives you to move forward.

• [00:22] - Many people think Calling brings only ease. Is it true?
• [02:29] - Similar to Paul, we are commissioned by God.
• [04:18] - Do you know the activities you will use to carry out your Calling? Paul outlines how he takes action in today’s scripture.
• [06:15] - Labor and strive towards your Calling.
• [07:50] - Be encouraged and affirm your Calling. What could this mean for you?
• [10:06] - What have you been commissioned to do?
• [11:39] - Don’t suffer for no reason.
• [14:01] - Strive for your Calling with the strength God gives you.

Christian Life Calling

Chris Heinz

Do You Know Why Christ Is Supreme? [Bookmark Download]

42: 12 Reasons Christ Deserves First Place

Christ is first in everything. We know this, but it can be lost in distractions or interpretations. This conversation goes through the 12 reasons Christ deserves first place.

Life Calling is based on our unique position in God’s plan. We would be without form, reason, or purpose if not for Christ. Everything we know that’s seen and unseen moves towards Christ, but how often do you reflect on why Christ comes first? 

In this episode, we reflect on 12 reasons taken straight from Colossians 1:15-20. As you meditate on this section, it can make you rethink how you relate to your struggles, your work, and the ways you show up in the world. We may not understand, but Christ is in the role of knowing and reconciling. 

Before we begin, here is an overview of the 12 reasons Christ deserves first place:

1. Christ is the image of the invisible God.
2. Christ is the firstborn over all creation.
3. Christ is the creator of everything.
4. Christ is the focus of creation.
5. Christ is before all things.
6. Christ holds all things together.
7. Christ is the head of the church.
8. Christ is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead.
9. Christ will have first place in everything.
10. Christ is the fullness of God.
11. Christ reconciles us to God.
12. Christ makes peace by his shed blood on the cross.

Listen as we discuss these 12 reasons, and better understand our relation to Christ. 

• [00:22] - Christ is the point of Christianity.
• [03:20] - Why do people become uncomfortable when we talk about God and Christ?
• [05:12] - Have you heard this new breakdown of biblical content?
• [08:10] - Christ is the unveiled mystery.
• [10:23] - Not only did Christ have a hand in creation, but Christ is the focus of creation.
• [12:40] - Christ is the head of the church above any subculture formed by human interpretation.
• [15:00] - Christ is the fullness of God.
• [17:38] - Christ makes peace like no one else could.
• [19:55] - How can you reflect on these 12 reasons?

• Christian Life Calling
• Chris Heinz

Today’s episode is the first conversation under the Christian Life Calling podcast. This comforting and honest talk is directly with your host, Chris Heinz. 

While doing this podcast, faith came up often in our discussions of purpose and service. Our shared experiences show that Life Calling is deeply personal like faith. For Christians, Life Calling is guided by faith. God equips us and appoints us to our Callings to serve his purposes, not our own. Ultimately, Life Calling is a unique role of service in God’s plan.

This episode is to explain why we’re changing our focus. Our focus at the Christian Life Calling podcast is to help you find your place in God’s plan and keep Jesus first. We’re going to freely talk about how a faith-first approach relates to you fulfilling your Life Calling.

Listen as we welcome challenge and revelation in these conversations where we put Jesus first in our Christian pursuit of Life Calling. We’re starting today!

• [00:22] - What’s the new path we’re on?
• [03:02] - I explain the new focus of the Christian Life Calling podcast.
• [05:27] - Live a life worthy of the Calling you have received.
• [07:16] - It’s hard to pursue Life Calling as a Christian without a Christian viewpoint.
• [09:56] - Where there’s freedom, there’s flow.
• [12:50] - Find your place in the grand plan.
• [14:30] - Release into new things.

• Christian Life Calling
• Chris Heinz

Today’s episode is a special compilation of episode highlights and a celebration of a new transition. 

It’s been a few months since we last released a podcast episode. In that time, life transformed. My family and I moved to Virginia, I launched a new website, and Life Calling Today went through a brand change. I’m grateful for the former season, but I have dreams for this next season.

This is the last episode under our current branding and current name. We are transitioning to focus more on a Christian approach to Life Calling. The new name for our show will be Christian Life Calling podcast to align more closely with our new Christian Life Calling Institute. We wanted to take this time to let everyone know what to expect as we make this change. 

Listen as we celebrate Life Calling Today with 12 guest clips that offer tips, insights, and personal stories of Life Calling. Let’s walk together to the next season of our purpose with Christian Life Calling.

Time stamps:

• [00:18] - What has everyone been up to these days?
• [02:40] - Dr. Dave White gives you tips to start a new period of transformation.
• [06:50] - Michael Pfau explains why coaching is different from mentoring.
• [11:09] - Dr. Stephanie Shackelford uncovers research findings on Calling and career. 
• [14:44] - Steve Heinz offers his insights about Calling coming in different seasons.
• [20:26] - Ron Sweetman talks about powerful assessments, such as the PathwayU Assessment.
• [25:47] - Janet Mylin provides the connection between motherhood and supporting children as they take on the real world.
• [30:27] - Deborah Koehn Loyd defines a vocational credo which helps clarify a life purpose.
• [34:06] - David Bryant calls for an awakening in this world, and explains why one is needed.
• [39:10] - Dannah Gresh sheds light on why pain can be an indicator or direction for Calling.
• [43:32] - Matt Eby gets honest about confronting and embracing painful events.
• [49:22] - Jo Self shares how practical strengths can apply to different sections of life and ripple into other lives.
• [53:47] - Bryan Ray encourages everyone to follow what is calling them, even if it feels a little uncomfortable.
• [57:20] - Thank you to all our guests, and thank you for listening!

• Four Surprises When We Moved to Virginia
• Christian Life Calling
• Chris Heinz

Full Episodes:

• 28: Dave White
• 29: Michael Pfau
• 30: Stephanie Shackelford
• 31: Steve Heinz
• 32: Ron Sweetman
• 33: Janet Mylin
• 34: Deborah Koehn Loyd
• 35: David Bryant
• 36: Dannah Gresh
• 37: Matt Eby
• 38: Jo Self
• 39: Bryan Ray

A career can oftentimes be a package deal of the calling and gifts you have for the world. Your way of being contributes to the role you play in your company, organization, or community. When you’re first starting out it all seems random, but you realize how it all fits as the bigger picture is revealed. Today, we talk about understanding calling in your 20s.

Bryan Ray graduated from Penn State in 2020, and he is now a graduate architect at Hoffman Leakey Architects. In addition to working full-time at the firm, Bryan is also studying for his professional license exams. His story obtains several keys for finding meaningful work and calling. He is bringing a unique perspective around career, calling, path, and purpose.

Bryan feels that architecture fits with his strategic and analytical side, while also fulfilling his more artistic side. The blend of these skills made an architecture career a great opportunity for exercising his creativity and his drive to bring ideas to life. Bryan always showed signs that he would go into architecture. He drew floor plans and pictures of houses while growing up. His natural pull to architecture became more and more clear as he engaged his interests. 

Listen as Bryan talks about his holistic view to career, fulfilling a calling, and building a life. He intentionally fosters other parts of his life to make sure his career ambitions don’t overshadow the other things that sees as important, such as loved ones and enjoying life. During the conversation, Bryan also shares some of the trials and errors of getting a step closer to his calling. He looks back on the choices and mindsets he transitioned through as he learned more about what he wanted.

Bryan’s perspective is not only useful for his fellow mid-20s peers, but for anyone shaping or reshaping their life to package their calling and purpose.

• [01:22] - Bryan Ray explains how he figured out that he wanted to do architecture. How did his interests show up in his life growing up?
• [03:46] - Bryan talks about how he likes to exercise his creativity around his interests. There are different ways to engage your natural gifts.
• [06:23] - How does architecture combine Bryan’s main interests?
• [08:07] - Bryan shares why he felt behind when seeing the skill level of his art peers.
• [10:03] - What did a professor say to Bryan that encouraged a more open view on creativity? 
• [12:24] - Bryan recalls how his early, real-life experiences in the architecture field became his career advantage.
• [14:08] - Being competitive by nature, is Bryan ever too hard on himself? How does he persevere?
• [15:55] - Bryan recalls how he got his first official role in architecture.
• [18:37] - Great things can come after taking a leap.
• [20:14] - Bryan describes the feeling of the small details that bring a space together in architecture.
• [22:38] - What are the lessons that Bryan learned in his 20s so far?
• [25:05] - How does Bryan foster the other important parts of his life, like loved ones and self care?
• [28:05] - Bryan talks about not allowing your career to overtake life itself.
• [29:48] - Bryan shares the figures he observed in his life to learn what path he can take in architecture.
• [31:58] - Bryan wants to be a welcoming and encouraging mentor for others looking to get involved in architecture.
• [33:54] - There’s hidden creativity in all of us.
• [36:13] - How does Bryan define a calling?
• [38:14] - Bryan says you shouldn’t be afraid to follow your interests, even if you follow it awkwardly at first.
• [40:30] - There are hundreds of ways to live out your calling. Sometimes it takes trial and error to find which way works for you at this point of life.
• [42:30] - Bryan explores what values he displays. What does Bryan value?

• Chris Heinz
• Chris Heinz Co.
• Bryan Ray
• Hoffman Leakey Architects

Strengths, which align with your innate talents, allow you to see multiple paths for living your calling. You can follow different paths since your strengths relate to the motives that help you carry out an action, rather than the logic directing you on which action to take. Even in your free time, your strengths are influencing your behavior and choices. Today, we talk about Practical Strengths for your calling.

Jo Self is on a mission to ensure talent is not wasted, potential is realized, and happiness is contagious. She has a diverse background in business, which includes developing award-winning employee programs for international brands, starting her own event business, and after moving to Peru from the US, creating a tourism business that was recognized as a top startup in that country. In 2015, Jo had a revelation that changed everything and set her on a new path. 

In 2021, Jo published her first book in the Practical Strengths series, Practical Strengths: Parenting: A CliftonStrengths® Guide for Everyday Ways. She recently published her second book in the series, Practical Strengths: Career Success: A CliftonStrengths® Guide for Everyday Ways.

At this point, Jo understands that her diverse career has a common thread in its nonlinear path. Reflecting on life experiences, Jo emphasizes that your purpose is in your strengths. If you want to feel more aligned to your life, there is a need to understand your strengths and figure out how to apply them. Jo uses her personal talents to explain to everyone how strengths don’t work alone in isolation, but together throughout separate aspects of life.

Listen as Jo talks about her Practical Strengths series and her journey as one of the first Spanish-speaking Gallup® Certified Strengths Coaches. Knowing your strengths will help you understand the way you interact with others. It’s a way to give yourself and others grace, and avoid possible stress or conflict.  More than that, your strengths help you recognize the roles that let you thrive. Jo uses personal experiences in this episode, so you may find this conversation particularly helpful if you share similar strengths with Jo: Strategic, Activator, Maximizer, Communication, Ideation. 

Consider how the strengths affect all aspects of your life for you to fully live your purpose. Being aware of how you operate is personal leverage to propel you forward.

• [01:57] - Jo Self understands that her diverse career has a common thread in its nonlinear path.
• [03:56] - The universe will give you feathers and bricks. 
• [06:55] - Jo talks about trusting the process of her life, and not having regrets.
• [08:25] - What does it mean when work is not just a job, but a calling?
• [10:18] - Jo shares her experience of working with Spanish-speaking communities around strengths and talents.
• [13:08] - What are Jo’s top talent themes?
• [15:23] - Knowing your strengths will help you understand the way you interact with others.
• [17:43] - People can share the same talent theme, but relate to the talent differently.
• [20:14] - Be conscious of your strengths, and learn how to present them for others to join you.
• [23:10] - Design flows from intention.
• [25:16] - Why did Jo write the Practical Strengths series?
• [28:06] - Jo believes the 34 strengths can unlock a new way for how people relate to one another.
• [30:49] - Strengths don’t tell you what to do, but do inform how you choose to complete the action.
• [33:47] - Jo explores the differences in how a talent can appear in separate aspects of our lives.
• [35:27] - Jo talks through how the Maximizer shows up in the workplace.
• [36:59] - You can make the most of your talents.
• [38:51] - Know what you need in your role and environment to help you keep showing up as your best every day.
• [40:49] - Strengths allow you to see multiple paths for living your calling.
• [42:41] - Jo gives an example of reframing your strengths to communicate the value you bring to a workplace.
• [45:13] - Jo says that self-awareness with self-appreciation is what becomes confidence.
• [47:21] - What does Jo want to be known for?
• [49:59] - What kind of mark do you want to leave on the world?

• Chris Heinz
• Chris Heinz Co.
• Jo Self
• Practical Strengths: Parenting: A CliftonStrengths© Guide for Everyday Ways
• Practical Strengths: Career Success: A CliftonStrengths® Guide for Everyday Ways
• Episode 14: Aligning Your Career with Your Calling | Jennifer Vancil

When you are in hard times, where do you pull your strength from? Being in hard times makes us feel we need something larger than ourselves. People pull help from rage and regret, or sometimes, people pull help from love and compassion. During a tiresome journey, where can our help come from? Today, we talk about touching cancer.

Born in the United States, Matt Eby now lives in Australia fulfilling the purpose of helping others. He really gives his life for service to people that need compassion, understanding, or empathy. Matt is currently serving at The Leukaemia Foundation where he works alongside people who are living with blood cancer. Over the years, Matt also supported families in the foster care system, served as a house parent for Aboriginal teenage boys, and managed a branch for a rental car agency. He has a natural gift for supporting individuals that need a dose of humanity, which fits his college degree in behavioral health.

Matt knows how to set a goal and execute. Following his curiosity, Matt goes from role to role where he feels called at that time. He believes in trial runs when transitioning into a new role or new interest. This helps him get rid of other options that don’t align with where he’s heading. One day, Matt found himself working with The Leukaemia Foundation and reflecting more deeply on life and purpose. He shares how the experience teaches him more about himself and humanity.

Listen as Matt talks about the humanity he witnessed while working with cancer patients, and how he was able to show up for the patients he interacted with. Matt often used his personal connection to cancer to empathize with patients. He cultivated a healthy relationship with his past trauma but understood that it’s not a sustainable source for supporting others. Matt shares how his faith became a new resource for him to pull from when supporting cancer patients. 

Matt says that his faith became a new lens for how he views life and his role in life. Whether we are in hard times or helping someone else in their journey, we also need help to show up fully and persevere. Where does our help come from? Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

• [01:16] - Matt Eby recalls how he met Chris as a server during breakfast.
• [03:22] - What made Matt move to Australia? What are the biggest differences?
• [05:19] - Matt says it took three years to get a hang of Australian jargon, but he loves the differences and diversity.
• [07:12] - Matt explains why he believes in trial runs when transitioning into a new role or new interest.
• [10:11] - How did Matt get his start at the Leukaemia Foundation?
• [13:07] - Seeing people in their journey made Matt reflect more deeply on life and purpose.
• [15:43] - Matt talks about a small act of kindness he shared with a patient that left an impression on him.
• [18:18] - Has he ever seen that patient again?
• [20:01] - Matt shares the heartwarming event that happened one year after the patient’s death.
• [22:44] - What is it like to be a house parent for Aboriginal teenagers?
• [25:42] - Matt shares how he used his personal connection to cancer to help others in their cancer journeys.
• [28:27] - Becoming a believer became a resource for Matt to deal with hard times.
• [31:13] - Matt talks about how to recognize which portion of life is Life Calling.
• [34:10] - What is Matt’s Life Calling?
• [36:57] - Matt says his faith became a new lens for how he views life and his role in life.
• [38:36] - Matt imagines what he would do with time off if he could do anything.

• Chris Heinz
• Chris Heinz Co.
• Matt Eby LinkedIn
• The Leukaemia Foundation

Don’t be afraid of the messy pieces of your story. People often don’t understand each other, not realizing that we all have a messy story that needs grace. Like a mom and daughter trying to understand each other while dealing with their own lives. Today, we talk about connecting moms and daughters through accepting life’s imperfect story.

Dannah Gresh is the best-selling author of over 30 books for teens, tweens, and their parents (written in both English and Spanish). Dannah is a highly sought-after speaker for conferences, weekend retreats, and online Bible studies. She’s also heard every day on the Revive Our Hearts podcast. Dannah is the leader of the True Girl Ministry, which connects the hearts of moms and daughters to each other (and with Jesus). In addition, Dannah is the co-founder of Grace Prep, a stellar Christian high school in central Pennsylvania. The school is uniquely established around the 40 Points of Grace.

Dannah teaches people that “Your story is your greatest asset”. Your story is a weapon that can be used to bring good news into this world. Part of the reason she wrote her book “And the Bride Wore White: Seven Secrets to Sexual Purity” came from a determination to give young women the power of their story back. Inside your faults, fears, and mishaps are opportunities to turn your insights into service. It’s a chance to share your life lessons or extend grace to someone going through a hard time.

Listen as Dannah discusses the need to embrace your own story and the story of others. She easily shares her ideas on the concept by sharing the work she does with young women and the ministries of the church. Dannah leads by example, sharing her personal story of reflecting on her experiences in order to serve others, empower young women, and help people see that Life Calling is connected to their story.

Am I free to live the life that God designed for me? This is the question Dannah ultimately brings to attention. Understand that your story serves that path you are walking, and serves the people that come in contact with your path. Join today’s conversation to hear lessons that help you connect with yourself and others.

• [00:18] - Dannah Gresh talks about her animals that she named after Dr. Seuss characters.
• [03:18] - Dannah recalls early signs of what called her to the path she is on today.
• [05:18] - Your calling will not always feel easy, and may require you to overcome what you think are your fears.
• [07:36] - Dannah shares what she does to re-center herself, and talks about what inspired her to write about young women being sexually active.
• [09:46] - What did Dannah hope to accomplish with her book on sexual activity?
• [12:28] - Our story is a weapon for good.
• [15:08] - Inside your faults, fears, and mishaps are opportunities to turn your insights into service.
• [17:39] - How does Dannah interpret the rise of depression in society, especially in youth?
• [19:55] - An altered view of reality is a major factor in the increased depression among youth.
• [22:07] - Pay attention to the lies, and replace them with truth.
• [24:52] - Is there a lie that Dannah struggled with in her own life? She talks about facing her limiting beliefs around “belonging”.
• [27:16] - Truth changes the way we show up in the world, and what we bring to our interactions...
• [29:16] - Can being single be part of a Calling?
• [33:04] - Are you free to follow the true plan designed for your life?
• [35:44] - Your Calling may need you to be flexible.
• [37:42] - What is Dannah’s definition of the ultimate Life Calling?
• [39:13] - Dannah talks about the new journey she and her husband are on to enlarge their territory physically and spiritually.
• [41:24] - Dannah and her husband hope to increase the community connection between different church ministries.
• [43:14] - This one thing is what Dannah encourages church communities to improve on.
• [45:06] - How can we extend grace to restore the broken?
• [47:03] - The power of restoring each other.

• Chris Heinz
• Chris Heinz Co.
• DannahGresh.com
• Dannah Gresh’s Books
• Revive Our Hearts Podcast
• True Girl Ministry
• Grace Prep
• 40 Points of Grace
• Twitter
• Instagram 
• Ep 34: What is a Vocational Credo? | Deborah Koehn Loyd