This is a replay of my Introduction and WHY statement for Marketplace Proverbs & Coffee With Ernie. Since July 31, 2025, we have posted daily podcast episodes from the chapter of Proverbs that matches the day of the month. I am excited to begin a new year. As of September 1, 2026, our daily episodes will be in video format here, on YouTube, and on Facebook. Thank you for joining me.

Today I want to talk about the “F” word. No, not the one you hear on social media, cable television, or some podcasts. I’m talking about another “F” word. A word that’s become so common, most of us don’t even notice it anymore. In fact, I hear it almost every day. I’ll ask someone how they’re doing, and they’ll respond: “Fine.” Just fine. Not grateful. Not hopeful. Not excited. Not growing. Just… fine. And the more I hear that word, the more I wonder if we’ve accepted emotional mediocrity as normal.

What if “fine” is one of the most dangerous words in the marketplace?Because nobody changes the world by being fine. Nobody builds great relationships by being fine. Nobody adds significance to others by settling for fine.

Today I want to challenge you to replace “fine” with something much more powerful. Life, Hope, Gratitude. And maybe, just maybe, discover that your words are shaping more of your future than you realize

"Conflict tearing you down? What if the ultimate resolution tool isn't a hard-nosed negotiation... but a good laugh? Welcome back! Today, renowned conflict resolution coach Ron Price breaks down Proverbs 17:22 — ‘Laughter is an excellent medicine’ — and reveals how a little joy can completely rewrite your toughest relationships. Let’s jump in!"

Today, we are tackling a question that every business leader, entrepreneur, and salesperson is wrestling with right now: How do we navigate the explosion of modern technology—such as AI, automation, and predictive analytics—without losing our soul in the process?

To answer that, we have to look at two fascinating passages in scripture that provide the ultimate framework for technology in the workplace.

Pride Blinds. Humility Builds.

Pride can make us deaf. Deaf to wise counsel. Deaf to warning signs. Deaf to the very people we’re called to serve. Humility, on the other hand, opens our ears, clears our vision, and builds bridges that pride would have burned. Today, our focus is Proverbs 13:10 because it’s the 13th day of the month.

Today, I am speaking from chapter 13 of Marketplace Proverbs Vol 2, Micro to Macro: The Ripple Effect of Influence, written by yours truly and Co-Author Jon Kluiter.

“Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other’s counsel.”—Proverbs 13:10 MSG

Kathy Selman is a speaker, educator, corporate trainer, Christian life coach, and founder of Widow Coaching. For more than four decades, she has been passionate about helping people discover their God-given gifts, recognize new possibilities, and become all God created them to be.

After the loss of her husband of nearly 33 years, Kathy’s own journey through grief led to a renewed calling—encouraging Christian widows to move beyond surviving and begin rebuilding lives filled with hope, purpose, confidence, and joy. Today, she leads online communities, coaches women across the country, and speaks on resilience, leadership, personal growth, and finding purpose through life’s unexpected seasons.

Whether she’s speaking from a stage, teaching in a classroom, coaching one-on-one, or sharing encouragement through social media and podcasts, Kathy’s mission is simple: to lighten heavy hearts, inspire hope, and remind people that with God, their story isn’t over.

Have you ever noticed that some people seem to attract lifelong friendships, loyal customers, and opportunities everywhere they go? What if it all started with one simple lesson from my grandmother… never return an empty dish? Today we’ll discover why one small act of generosity reveals a powerful marketplace principle found in Proverbs 11.

If you’re old enough, you probably remember the famous television commercials for the brokerage firm E.F. Hutton. The scene always began with a crowded restaurant full of conversations. Then someone quietly said, “Well, my broker is E.F. Hutton…” Instantly, the entire room became silent.

The commercial ended with one unforgettable line:

“When E.F. Hutton speaks, people listen.”

I’ve often wondered: what if that could be said about Gospel-Centric Customer Success Masters?

Not because we’re louder or smarter. But because our words consistently bring life.

That is exactly what Solomon describes in Proverbs 10:11.

So, how does Proverbs 7 apply to marketplace ministry? Easy, avoid the appearance of promiscuous business.

Business is serious, but enjoyable at the same time. Playing loose with pricing, procedures, and processes to secure a transaction, in my opinion, is akin to displaying wanton behavior. Making a ‘deal’ with new or temporary customers outside stated pricing with loyal, committed existing customers is like adultery, once again, from my perspective.

Think on this: In the B2B2C marketplace, a producer selects resellers who uphold the product’s value by serving the end user professionally. Excellent resellers are catalysts that deliver tremendous pre- and post-sale customer service, creating high perceived value for the product/service or brand. The result is Momentum AKA sell-through. Everyone from the designer to the reseller, the end user, to fans in the stands enjoys the benefits of an excellent relationship by association. This momentum attracts the attention of rogue or unscrupulous, undesirable resellers. These resellers seduce the producer with huge purchase orders, paying in cash. They offer the end-user customer very little support. These resellers do not pioneer new brands, concepts, or campaigns to expand market share. They only “Click ’n Ship” established brands/products. Unfortunately, I speak from experience when I chased transactions to make quota.

Allowing ourselves and our organization to be seduced by the appearance of promiscuous behavior by rogue or unscrupulous resellers is like being with a w***e. Avoid it

Imagine walking into the lobby of one of America’s largest companies and seeing these words carved in marble: Integrity. Communication. Respect. Excellence. It looked impressive—until the company collapsed in one of the biggest corporate scandals in history. Today, let’s discover why trust isn’t built by what’s written on the wall, but by what’s lived every day.