Purpose Without Apology

1. Police brutality has been a heartbreaking issue for African-Americans for decades, but the recent murder of George Floyd triggered a historic response. Protests erupted overnight, both in the U.S. and around the world. Unfortunately, violence in the form of riots and looting has also emerged. How do we as Christians navigate the issue of racial justice within the context of our faith?
2. Biblically, we have multiple options:
   1. We can pray. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
   2. We can fast. (Isaiah 58:6)
   3. We can listen more and speak less. (James 1:19)
      1. When people of color share how they have been harmed by racism, believe them.
   4. We can speak out… (Isaiah 1:17)
      1. By voting. 
      2. By advocating for others in our schools, workplaces and general everyday life. 
   5. We can donate to organizations that help the oppressed, especially ones that are Christian-based. (Proverbs 28:27)
   6. We can educate ourselves about the causes of racial injustice. (Proverbs 18:2)
   7. We can teach our children how to help the oppressed. (Proverbs 22:6)
3. For Christ followers, pursuing racial justice isn’t just a good idea; it’s a reflection of the heart of God. When we fight for the oppressed, we honor Him. (Micah 6:8)
4. Key Point: It’s important not to tackle all of these strategies at once. The fight for racial justice is a marathon, not a sprint. During times like these, it can feel like you should do everything, but that will only wear you out. Keep it simple; pick one or two ideas and start there.

Action Step: Ask God which of the strategies in this episode you and your family should focus on in the coming days. How is He calling you to help? 

When it comes to entrepreneurship, a lot of people are quick to say, “That isn’t for everyone.” In this episode, I want to make the case for entrepreneurship being a viable and desirable option that women of all backgrounds should a least consider.

Entrepreneurship is on the rise, especially for women. A few facts:

1. According to a study from American Express, the number of women-owned businesses increased by 114 percent between 1997 and 2017, a rate 2.5 times higher than the national average. In 2018, 11.6 million U.S. businesses were women-owned and generated more than $1.7 trillion in revenue.
2. Women with established businesses rate their well-being almost three times higher than women who aren’t entrepreneurs, and 1.6 times higher than their male counterparts. 68 percent of women owners run their businesses from home, and 78 percent of female entrepreneurs believe they’ve achieved work-life balance.
3. 71 percent of new women-owned businesses launched each day are owned by women of color, with Black women as the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurship is an especially appealing option for women due to:

1. Flexibility
2. More opportunities for growth
3. More control over income
4. The ability to pursue personal interests and passions

Many times, especially for marginalized groups, entrepreneurship is a necessity due to a lack of traditional workplace opportunities. This was my experience.

There’s a difference between being an entrepreneur and an employer:

1. An entrepreneur is anyone who goes into business for themselves. This often includes businesses with only one employee (the business creator). People who “own their jobs” in this way are known as solopreneurs.
2. An employer is a person or company that provides a job paying wages or a salary to one or more people
3. It’s possible to be an entrepreneur without being an employer. In fact, most entrepreneurs are. According to the Small Business Administration, over 70 percent of businesses in the United States are owned and operated by sole proprietors.

You don't have to quit your job! You can always start and run a part-time business, either on its own or in addition to your current job. Expand your thinking about entrepreneurship.

Even if you don’t want to own a business, you should at least have multiple streams of income. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Investments: If you don’t want to own a business, owning stock in someone else’s business is the next best thing.
2. Real estate: Buying and holding property will provide you with cash flow, which ensures you can pay your bills even if you lose your 9 to 5.

Action Step: Go back to the information you wrote down about your calling and assignment from episodes #2 and #5. Use that information to brainstorm ideas for a potential side hustle.

Resources:

1. Episode 2: “Purpose, Calling, Assignment: What’s the Difference?”
2. Episode 5: “5 Questions to Help You Discover Your Calling”
3. "25 Intriguing Facts About the State of Female Entrepreneurship" from Startup Nation

The rise of COVID-19 has forced our entire world to change forever. Even as we are making steps to “get back to normal,” the truth is that we will need to create a new normal. Have you embraced this reset?

1. 5 Areas I’ve Had to Reset Recently
   1. My relationship with God.
   2. My relationship with my family.
   3. My health.
   4. My podcast.
   5. My identity.
2. 5 Areas That May Need a Reset in Your Life
   1. Your relationship with God: Has your prayer life gotten stronger? Have you been studying the Bible more? Have you been connecting with God on a deeper level in general?
   2. Your identity: How do you see yourself? Are you an overachiever? Do you struggle with laziness? Do you suffer from analysis paralysis?
   3. Your relationship with your loved ones: Are you spending more quality time with family and friends (either in your home or from a distance)?
   4. Your health: Are you cooking more and getting more exercise?
   5. Your finances: Are you saving and preparing for the future, especially times of economic uncertainty?
3. Key Point: Don’t let anyone tell you how you should spend your time during a reset. Everyone is different, and we need the Holy Spirit to direct our steps, especially during seasons of resetting.
4. Action Step: Take at least 30 minutes to spend quiet time with God, and ask Him what lessons He wants you to take from this reset season. 

Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser or CPA. The details of this podcast are shared for informational purposes only. Please seek assistance from a certified finance professional who can help you with your unique situation.

Budgeting is like eating right and exercising---things everyone knows they should do, but few do them effectively. Although 67% of Americans claim to have a budget, 74% of American workers are living paycheck to paycheck (and 1 in 4 of households making over $150,000 a year).

1. Step 1: Develop a positive mindset about budgeting.
   • Many people self-sabotage from the beginning because they see budgeting as limiting or restrictive.
   • The reality is that budgeting can actually be liberating if done well.
   • You should see budgeting as making a plan for your money, rather than a list of things you can’t have.
2. Step 2: Recognize your strengths and weaknesses regarding your spending habits.
   • Most people tend to have either “spender” or “saver” personalities. Both come with their pros and cons. It’s important to recognize the value of your financial spending style so you can plan for it.
3. Step 3: Make sure you understand the difference between wants and needs.
   • Needs = Food, Shelter, Transportation and Clothing (“4 Walls”)
   • Wants = Almost everything else
   • Prioritize assets over liabilities (“Rich Dad, Poor Dad”). Wealthy people use their assets to buy liabilities.
4. Step 4: Choose a budgeting tool that works for you.
   • In other words, don’t try to force yourself to use pen and paper if you prefer an app. If you’re uncomfortable with using a certain budgeting method, you won’t stick to it long-term.
   • These days, there are more financial resources at our disposal than ever before. Feel free to experiment with different budgeting apps and products until you find one that’s right for you. The right tool can actually make budgeting fun!
   • A few apps I personally recommend: Mint, Every Dollar and YNAB
5. Step 5: Seek help/accountability if you need it.
   • If you’re married, this is your spouse. If you’re single, choose a close friend or family member to hold you accountable.
   • If you’re not knowledgeable about money and budgeting, consider taking personal finance classes or hiring a financial advisor to help you learn the basics.

Action Step: Figure out where you are on the list of steps mentioned in this episode, and work your way through the rest.

Resources:

1. "Fewer Americans are Budgeting in 2019 -- Although They Think Everyone Else Should" https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fewer-americans-are-budgeting-in-2019----although-they-think-everyone-else-should-300824384.html
2. "A shocking number of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck" https://www.marketwatch.com/story/a-shocking-number-of-americans-are-living-paycheck-to-paycheck-2020-01-07
3. Episode 5: “5 Personal Finance Books That Changed My Life”