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What if "Truth at Work" is more than a name? Mike Diercks, Chapter President of Truth At Work in Central Ohio, joins Mark Greaves to talk servant leadership, the dignity of every kind of work, and what happens when business leaders sit around a table and take Jesus seriously.

For more than a decade, Mike Diercks has led Truth At Work Round Tables in Central Ohio: peer groups of 10 to 12 Christian business leaders who meet monthly as a board of advisors to grow in leadership and faith. Before that, he spent 23 years as Managing Partner at Leadership Management International (LMI), delivering results through a transformational, servant leadership model. He is also a church elder, husband to Elizabeth, father, grandfather, and a lover and follower of Jesus Christ.

In this conversation, Mark and Mike discuss:

- Whether more business leaders are leaning into faith, and what Mike is seeing in the Columbus business community

- What drew Mike to a lifetime of developing leaders

- What servant leadership really means and where it shows up best in the marketplace

- Why all work is on a level playing field when it comes to service and purpose, and how Mike coaches leaders in a culture that treats income and purchasing power as a scoreboard (a conversation inspired by the book *Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life* by David Bahnsen)

- How Mike was introduced to Truth At Work and how he knew it was the lane God was calling him to

- The double meaning of "Truth At Work": Jesus is the truth, and He is at work within you

- Moments when God said, "I've got you right where I want you"

- Mike's woodshop and the toys he builds for his grandkids

- Marriage advice for the next generation

- A word for the leader on the fence about fully integrating faith into work and life outside of Sundays

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What happens when a person who has spent years building businesses, relationships, and influence realizes that success alone isn't enough?

Josiah Myers has spent much of his career building things.

He started Arriva with just one investment unit in his basement and eventually grew the company to more than 1,000 units, earning a Business First Fast 50 award as one of Ohio's fastest-growing companies. Today, he is the founder and CEO of Spilt Social, a business network built around authentic community, and serves as Vice President of Growth at Vessel, a venture investment group partnering with founders.

But the business success is only part of the story.

There was also a valley.

In this episode of First and Focused, Mark Greaves reconnects with Josiah, whom he first met back in 2015-2016, and they unpack a story that includes entrepreneurship, rapid growth, personal struggles, influence, community, and ultimately a renewed relationship with Jesus Christ.

Josiah opens up about the rise of Arriva, what happened when things took a turn, and the personal decisions that led him down a dark path.

They also talk about Spilt Social and why authentic community matters, especially in a world where people can be more connected digitally while becoming increasingly isolated personally.

Most importantly, Josiah shares about the journey of faith that has unfolded over the past year and what led him to launch the Boardroom Revival, an effort to bring faith and business leadership into the same conversation.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Josiah's story before becoming an entrepreneur
• The personality and relationships that helped shape his career
• Whether he always planned to become a business leader
• Building Arriva from one investment unit to more than 600
• What rapid business growth taught him
• What happened when the success of Arriva came to an end
• Walking through a dark personal season
• Finding God in the valley
• The origin story behind Spilt Social
• Why authentic community matters
• The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people
• How faith has changed Josiah's perspective on opportunity
• Discovering meaning beyond business success
• The church community and what it has meant in Josiah's life
• The vision behind Boardroom Revival
• How business leaders can begin exploring who Jesus really is
• Why faith belongs in the boardroom just as much as it belongs in the church

THE BIG IDEA

Your greatest influence isn't necessarily found at the top of the mountain.

Sometimes God does His deepest work in the valley.

Josiah's story is a powerful reminder that business success, relationships, influence, and personal achievement can never replace the meaning and purpose found in a relationship with Jesus.

CONNECT WITH JOSIAH

Josiah Myers on Instagram

Spilt Social / Boardroom Revival on Instagram

ABOUT FIRST AND FOCUSED

First and Focused is a podcast hosted by Mark Greaves featuring leaders who are learning to put God first in their work, their families, their businesses, and their everyday lives.

The goal isn't to pretend that faith makes business easy. It's to explore what changes when Jesus becomes the foundation for how we lead, make decisions, handle adversity, build relationships, and pursue our ambitions.

If this conversation encouraged you, subscribe to First and Focused, share this episode, and comment with the moment from Josiah's story that impacted you most.

#FirstAndFocused #JosiahMyers #MarkGreaves #BoardroomRevival #SpiltSocial #ChristianLeadership #FaithAtWork #ChristianBusiness #ChristianPodcast #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Purpose #Jesus #BusinessLeadership #Community

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What happens when a few people decide to put God first in business and simply see what He does with it?

That's the story behind Tithe Foundation.

In this special episode of First and Focused, Mark Greaves sits down with Matt Wooster to look back at the history of their relationship, the growth of Tithe Foundation, and some of the lessons God has taught them along the way.

Matt currently serves as Managing Director for Insurance Solutions at HPS Investment Partners, recently acquired by BlackRock. His career in finance began more than two decades ago at Ernst & Young and has included experience across banking, insurance, and private equity.

But this conversation isn't primarily about finance.

It's about what happens when business leaders come together around a common commitment to honor God with their work and love their neighbors through generosity.

Mark and Matt walk through the history of Tithe Foundation, from its first grants in 2023 and their first meeting at Panera in November 2023, through the first workshops, the first Grant Night, the introduction of the Tithe Pledge, and the organization's continued growth.

They also get personal.

Mark and Matt talk about their friendship, their recent role as accountability partners, and why accountability is essential if we want our lives and businesses to actually reflect the integrity we claim to have.

Most importantly, they discuss the impact of Tithe Foundation that goes beyond the dollars given to nonprofits: relationships, courage, community, influence, and business leaders becoming more willing to take their faith into their own spheres of influence.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How Tithe Foundation got started
• The first grants in 2023
• Mark and Matt's first meeting at Panera
• The evolution from workshops to Grant Nights
• How the Tithe Pledge became part of the Foundation
• Why Tithe Foundation covers its overhead outside of donor funds
• Why 100% of designated giving is able to flow to supported ministries
• How nonprofit vetting works
• Why business partners vote on nonprofit distributions
• Why every partner gets an equal vote
• The power of bringing Christian business leaders together
• Why the Body of Christ is stronger when its members work together
• How community creates courage
• Taking the love and light of Christ back into the marketplace
• Mark and Matt's friendship and accountability relationship
• Why integrity requires accountability
• The impact of Tithe Foundation beyond financial giving
• The future vision for Tithe Foundation
• Expanding into new markets
• The need for additional partners, space, and in-kind support
• What it looks like to honor God with business and love your neighbors with generosity

THE BIG IDEA

There is no limit to what the Holy Spirit can accomplish through a willing Body of Christ.

Tithe Foundation isn't simply a giving organization. It's a community of business leaders learning what happens when they put God first, give generously, build relationships, hold one another accountable, and take the courage they find in community back into their businesses and communities.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TITHE FOUNDATION

Tithe Foundation

CONNECT WITH MATT WOOSTER

Matt Wooster on LinkedIn

ABOUT FIRST AND FOCUSED

First and Focused is a podcast hosted by Mark Greaves featuring leaders who are putting God first in their work, their families, their businesses, and their everyday lives.

The conversations are designed to explore what happens when faith moves beyond Sunday and into the marketplace.

Business. Leadership. Generosity. Family. Adversity. Purpose. Community.

And ultimately, Jesus.

If this episode encouraged you, subscribe to First and Focused, share it with a business leader in your life, and comment with one way you are trying to put God first in your work.

#FirstAndFocused #MattWooster #MarkGreaves #TitheFoundation #ChristianBusiness #FaithAtWork #ChristianLeadership #KingdomBusiness #Generosity #Tithing #BusinessLeadership #ChristianPodcast #MarketplaceMinistry #Jesus #ColumbusOhio

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What if the business you've spent your life building could become a tool for something much bigger than financial success?

Michael Valley has spent more than four decades in business and financial services. He founded Eastwind Capital Wealth Management in 1991 and continues to lead the company today.

But Michael's story didn't begin in wealth management.

His entrepreneurial journey started much earlier, when he launched Valley Brothers Egg Company in 1972.

Over the decades, Michael built a successful career in finance while navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, markets, and serving clients. But eventually, another part of his life began to change.

Michael wasn't always a follower of Jesus.

In fact, he was a Buddhist before his wife, Sharon, helped lead him toward Christianity. That journey ultimately culminated in Michael accepting Jesus Christ in his office at Eastwind Capital.

In this episode of First and Focused, Mark Greaves sits down with Michael for his first podcast appearance ever to talk about business, faith, homelessness, purpose, and what it means to use something as temporary as a business to build something eternal.

Michael also shares about his passion for serving the homeless population in Columbus, his work with the Columbus Dream Center, and his involvement in prison ministry through Rock City Church.

This is a conversation about what happens when your definition of success changes.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Michael's childhood and early entrepreneurial instincts
• Starting Valley Brothers Egg Company in 1972
• Building a career in financial services
• Founding Eastwind Capital Wealth Management in 1991

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What happens when the future you've worked your entire life for suddenly disappears?

For Shaun Lane, that question became very real in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl.

Shaun was an Ohio State football player with NFL aspirations when a career-ending injury against Texas changed the trajectory of his life. What looked like the end of one dream ultimately became the beginning of a much bigger purpose.

Today, Shaun serves as the Campus Pastor for Rock City Church in Hilliard, Ohio, where he helps lead a growing church community serving thousands of people and families each week. But his story isn't simply about becoming a pastor. It's about learning what God can do with disappointment, adversity, leadership, and a life surrendered to Him.

In this episode of First and Focused, Mark Greaves sits down with Shaun to talk about growing up, the lessons sports taught him, the night his football career changed forever, and the faith journey that eventually led him into ministry.

They also talk about what people don't always see behind the scenes of being a pastor: leading teams, serving volunteers, helping people through difficult seasons, building community, praying for a city, and continually pursuing God's direction.

And yes, Mark had to bring up the important question: Has Shaun ever lost to Michigan?

The answer may be the most important part of the episode.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Shaun's childhood and the people who shaped him
• The leadership lessons he learned through sports
• Playing football at Ohio State under Jim Tressel
• His NFL aspirations and the 2009 Fiesta Bowl
• How a career-ending injury changed his life
• Navigating disappointment and adversity through faith
• The steps God took to lead Shaun toward ministry
• What being a campus pastor actually looks like

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30 Episodes • 30 Leaders • 4 Lessons • One Common Thread

What can you learn when you spend the first six months sitting across the table from 30 leaders who are intentionally putting God first?

In this special episode of First & Focused, Mark Greaves takes a step back from the traditional interview format to reflect on the first six months of the show—and the critical moments, conversations, and lessons that have emerged from the first 31 episodes.

From entrepreneurs and business leaders to pastors, doctors, ministry leaders, and community influencers, the guests have come from remarkably different backgrounds. Yet as Mark looks back across their stories, four common themes continue to emerge.

First, every guest has a clear sense of their priorities—with Christ at the center and family as a foundation.

These leaders aren't simply trying to be successful. They've developed a framework for understanding what matters most. Their faith isn't something they've added to their professional lives; it shapes how they approach leadership, relationships, work, and family.

Second, every guest has demonstrated a deep understanding of their own weakness and their need for Jesus every day.

Behind the accomplishments are men and women who understand they don't have everything figured out. They recognize their limitations, their failures, their struggles, and ultimately their dependence on Christ.

Third, they've accepted that living a life that glorifies God isn't always the easy road.

Following Jesus doesn't eliminate difficulty. In many cases, it creates opportunities to choose obedience when the easier option would be to compromise, quit, or take control. These leaders have learned that faithfulness matters more than convenience.

And fourth, they possess a remarkable sense of peace and poise in the middle of life's challenges.

Not because life has been easy—but because they've learned where their confidence comes from.

Mark revisits lessons and moments from conversations with leaders including Dr. Todd Marrah, Joe Schmitz, Dr. Duke Heller, Courtney Markley, Jon Mullen, Harvey Hook, Brian Ziemer, Scott Arnold, Sam Koon, Pastor Ben Douglass, Dr. Jeffrey Broadnax, and many more.

After 31 episodes, here is The conclusion:

The most impressive thing about these leaders isn't what they've accomplished. It's who they have become—and Who they are following.

To learn more or view prior episodes visit www.markgreaves.com

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What does it look like to lead with nothing to hide, nothing to prove, and nothing to lose?

In this episode of First & Focused, Mark Greaves sits down with Dr. Dan Owolabi, founding CEO of Branches Worldwide, a global leadership development organization that has equipped executives, entrepreneurs, and business owners across 35 countries to build companies that transform their communities.

Dan's leadership journey is anything but ordinary. From playing college basketball, to becoming a pastor, to earning a Ph.D. in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary, Dan has spent his life investing in people and developing leaders.

Now, through Branches Worldwide, he is helping leaders around the world pursue authentic leadership and build organizations that make an impact far beyond their bottom line.

Dan shares the story of coming to Christ, the leadership lessons he learned during his decade as a pastor, and how those experiences ultimately led him into global leadership development.

Mark and Dan also unpack the story behind Branches, the vision that started with an ambitious goal of developing 30 leaders in 30 countries over 30 years, and the ways God has continued to provide signs along the way that Dan is on the right track.

They dive into Dan's book Authentic Leadership and one of its central questions: How many leaders are actually leading from authenticity, rather than fear, ego, or the need to prove themselves?

Despite living in a smaller Ohio community, Dan's influence now reaches leaders around the world. The conversation explores how he stays focused amid constant ideas and opportunities, how he leads himself, and how he protects his marriage and family while pursuing a global calling.

This is a conversation about authentic leadership, investing in people, following God's direction, and having the courage to lead without fear.

In This Episode

• Dan's college basketball career—and whether he can still dunk
• His journey to faith in Christ
• A decade of lessons learned as a pastor
• How Branches Worldwide came to life
• The vision behind developing leaders around the world
• What it means to lead with “nothing to hide, nothing to prove, and nothing to lose”
• Authentic leadership versus fear, ego, and insecurity
• How God has confirmed Dan's calling along the way
• Leading globally while living in a small Ohio community
• How Dan stays focused when new ideas and opportunities constantly arise
• Protecting marriage and family while pursuing a global mission
• Integrating faith into leadership and work

To connect with Dr. Dan Owolabi: https://www.dan-owolabi.com/

To buy the book “Authentic Leadership”: https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Leadership-Lead-Nothing-Prove/dp/1735047309/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

To connect with Mark Greaves: www.markgreaves.com

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What happens when you stop asking, "What do I want to do?" and start asking, "What is God calling me to do?"

In this episode of First & Focused, Mark Greaves sits down with Trina Ryan, Regional Vice President for Shaw Industries and leader of Women of Good Work, to talk about faith, leadership, motherhood, obedience, and bringing the Gospel into the workplace.

Trina has spent 14 years growing as a business leader at Shaw Industries while also becoming an influential voice in Marketplace Ministry throughout Central Ohio. Her passion has now led her to help build Women of Good Work, a movement focused on helping women live out their God-given calling and experience greater purpose in their work.

Trina shares her faith journey, the moment she began feeling the tug of the Holy Spirit to integrate faith and work, and a powerful story of simply living out her faith in an ordinary business relationship.

Mark and Trina also talk about one of the most important roles in her life: being a mother. They explore the lessons motherhood has taught her about leadership, influence, and herself.

The conversation eventually turns toward Women of Good Work, why the movement was launched specifically for women, the overwhelming response to its first event, and why more business professionals are looking for ways to integrate their faith into every part of their lives.

This is a powerful conversation about obedience, purpose, influence, and having the courage to follow God's leading in the marketplace.

In This Episode

• Trina's faith journey and when Jesus became first in her life
• Recognizing the Holy Spirit's prompting to integrate Faith + Work
• A powerful testimony from the Tithe Foundation event
• What motherhood has taught Trina about leadership and influence
• Why Women of Good Work was created
• The incredible response to the organization's first event
• The future vision for expanding Women of Good Work
• Why professionals are increasingly integrating faith into their work
• Encouragement for believers who are hesitant to let faith lead every area of life

To connect with Trina Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trina-ryan-2b382844/

To connect with Women of Good Work: https://www.womenofgoodwork.org/

To connect with Mark Greaves: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-greaves-6581078/

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What happens when a driven, successful leader realizes that achievement alone isn't enough?

In this episode of First & Focused, Mark Greaves sits down with Jon Giganti, founder and leader of Giganti Group, to talk about leadership, anxiety, entrepreneurship, intentional living, fatherhood, and the moment faith changed the trajectory of his life.

Jon spent 25 years with CCC Intelligence Solutions, where he led national accounts and developed leaders before launching Giganti Group. He's also a USA Today bestselling author of With Intention, a book built around helping leaders and organizations become more intentional in how they lead.

But behind the executive, entrepreneur, author, and former Division 1 soccer player is a story of uncertainty, pressure, and ultimately finding Jesus.

Jon shares what he learned through the challenges of college athletics, a 25-year corporate career, the burdens of life before faith, and his experience coming to Christ in 2015.

Mark and Jon also explore what it means to live intentionally, build yourself so you can better serve others, lead with faith, and bring Christ into every area of life.

This is a conversation about moving from crisis to clarity, achievement to purpose, and leading on your own strength to following Jesus.

In This Episode

• Jon's experience as a Division 1 soccer player and the anxiety he faced
• The unexpected twists and turns of a 25-year corporate career
• Leadership and the Built to Lead framework
• What life looked like before Jesus
• Jon's powerful faith journey in 2015
• The message behind With Intention
• Practical ways to become more intentional
• Building rhythms that strengthen yourself and allow you to serve others
• Fatherhood and lessons learned from raising children
• The difference faith makes in a leader's life
• What it looks like to integrate Faith + Work
• Encouragement for believers who are hesitant to let their faith lead

To connect with Jon Giganti: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jongiganti/

Click here to Buy the Book “With Intention”: https://www.amazon.com/Intention-Uncommon-Unleashed-Influence-Fulfillment/dp/1636801056/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AFBEI83ESOZH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.x91kmmvdbeaM1n5HcI70NcVLhOn4mhlOVOQiC63nKTA.IMqg46RWSfbjP_gDcfkXJZwIwN4Dmu1k8isJ9Q_XL24&dib_tag=se&keywords=With+Intention+Jon+Giganti&qid=1786645916&sprefix=with+intention+jon+giganti%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1

To connect with Mark Greaves: www.markgreaves.com 

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What if your career could become one of the greatest tools for Kingdom impact? In this episode of First and Focused, we sit down with Sam Koon — founder and President of Sam Koon and Associates, a leading Real Estate and Business Appraisal firm in Central Ohio, and local leader for PrimeMovers, a ministry founded by Pastor Chip Ingram through the Living on the Edge Umbrella.

For decades, Sam has quietly mentored hundreds of men, helping them discover their "Holy Ambition" and channel their work and energy into Kingdom-building enterprises.

In this conversation, we cover:

• What a "Holy Ambition" is — and why everyone should find theirs
• How Sam discovered his own Holy Ambition and pursued it
• Sam's upbringing and the path that shaped his wisdom and worldview
• What sparked his decades-long career in real estate and appraisal
• Ways he's seen God move in and through his work
• Blending PrimeMovers with his primary business
• The #1 reason men join PrimeMovers — and what holds men back after they've heard from God
• Opportunities Sam sees for a renewed generation of Kingdom-minded leaders
• A deeply personal reflection on a family accident involving his grandson, and what it taught him about faith

A conversation full of quiet wisdom for anyone wanting to align their ambition, work, and faith.

Connect with Sam Koon: https://www.samuelkoon.com/

Learn More about PrimeMovers: https://livingontheedge.org/primemovers/

Connect with Mark: www.markgreaves.com 

#HolyAmbition #PrimeMovers #ChipIngram #KingdomLeadership #FirstAndFocused