Seek Go Create with Tim Winders

We're all so used to the image of a leader as someone authoritative, dominant, and at times larger than life. But unlike this common stereotype, the most effective leaders all share one crucial quality: they are all emotionally intelligent.

Learning how to be emotionally intelligent is the key to becoming an effective leader. It's neither an event nor a static destination. It's a lifelong process and journey that will guide every aspect of your life toward success.

In this episode, Tim delves into the power of emotional intelligence. He introduces the key components of emotional intelligence and how they all come together. He also shares tips and strategies to become a better person and a more effective leader. Tim touches on the practical and spiritual aspects of becoming an emotionally intelligent leader.

Tune in to this episode to embark on the ongoing journey of improving your emotional intelligence!

3 reasons to Listen:

1. Understand what emotional intelligence means.
2. Gain a holistic view of the components that make up emotional intelligence.
3. Discover why being a better leader involves being emotionally intelligent.

Resources

• ChatGPT
• Wisdom app
• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®)
• DISC Personality Test
• StrengthsFinder
• Enneagram Personality Test
• Coach: A Story of Success Redefined by Tim Winders
• Listen to more episodes and highlights on Seek Go Create. You can also visit our YouTube for full-length episodes and short clips from each episode.

Episode Highlights[02:02] What is Emotional Intelligence?

• Emotional intelligence is a critical life skill everyone needs to learn. It's something we must examine and redefine all the time.
• Emotional intelligence involves seeing the bigger picture.
• Emotionally intelligent people can recognize and understand their emotions.
• We use emotional intelligence to guide our thinking and behavior—it’s about using wisdom.

[05:26] “It’s (emotional intelligence) not just about us. It's not just about others. It's how that integrates.” - Click Here To Tweet This[06:11] Emotionally Intelligent Leadership

• Avoid the attitude and mindset of refusing to change because “you’re just the way you are.”
• There are places where an uncompromising mindset can be effective, but these are extremely limited.
• You can always change and adjust how you act. Emotional intelligence is a vital but often overlooked aspect of leadership.

[06:58] “Don't be that person. Don't be that guy. Don't be that girl. Don't be that leader that basically says, ‘It's my way or the highway.’” - Click Here To Tweet This[08:14] How We are Built

• The three things that make us humans are the spirit, soul, and body.
• The body is our physical aspect. The spirit is our spiritual aspect. The soul is our mind, will, and emotions.
• Our soul controls a lot of what we feel in our bodies.

[10:52] #1: Understand How All the Components Fit Together

• The key components of emotional intelligence are self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills.
• All these components are powerful in themselves and impact how we interact. But emotional intelligence is how they all come and fit together.
• Uncovering these layers will help us become more effective communicators and then leaders. You can't be an effective leader without being an effective communicator.
• Becoming emotionally intelligent is a constant, lifelong process.

[11:49] "All of those fit together—self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. These components can help us—you, me—become more aware of our own emotions and the emotions of others." - Click Here To Tweet This[14:26] #2: Develop Self-Awareness

• Self-awareness involves recognizing your emotions and thoughts and understanding how they influence behavior.
• Like a pressure cooker, once pressure builds in our souls, it becomes difficult to see things clearly. Thus, we have to relieve this pressure.
• Some healthy tips to relieve pressure are journaling, spending time in prayer, and being quiet and still.
• You can also take personality assessments and get a coach.
• Self-awareness is helpful in decision-making and dealing with relationships.

[24:45] #3: Practice Self-Regulation

• Self-regulation is managing your emotions and behavior. It allows us to remain calm and composed in the face of challenges.
• It's about having control, not being stifling. There are times when it's beneficial to show some degree of emotion.
• We are all created for a specific reason. That's why we have unique strengths and weaknesses.
• Some strategies for self-regulation are setting boundaries, managing stress, mindfulness, quiet time, and prayer.

[28:47] “We are all created for a certain reason. I have strengths. You have strengths. We also have some things that might be weaknesses.” - Click Here To Tweet This[33:48] #4: Cultivate Empathy

• Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It’s something we all need in the world we’re in today.
• It helps us build trust and create a positive work culture. A team or a group of people devoid of empathy is one that likely won't last.
• Some tools for cultivating empathy are active listening and practicing compassion.

[39:35] #5: Build Strong Relationships

• All the previous strategies help with building strong relationships.
• Social skills are the ability to interact effectively with others. It's a central aspect of leadership.
• Make it a lifelong quest to improve your social skills. Working on your social skills will change slightly with age, maturity, and generation.
• Some strategies for building relationships are: interacting with people and leaving your comfort zone.
• The ability to have social skills is the glue that holds most relationships together.

[44:59] #6: Be a Continuous Learner

• Continuous learning is the ongoing process of acquiring new knowledge and skills.
• Growth keeps us open to new ideas and perspectives.
• The growth mindset is a muscle you need to keep growing and working on.
• You can also read, attend workshops and training, and find a coach or a mentor.
• It’s powerful to break destructive habits and ruts in our life.

[48:18] #7: Lead by Example

• Leading by example is modeling the behavior and values that align with your faith.
• There will be a lot of battles going on inside you if your values don't align with your emotional intelligence. These conflicts will impact all the other components.
• Integrity is having your words and actions in alignment and not being a hypocrite. 
• Humility requires understanding that you don't know everything. Another essential value is admitting when you're wrong.
• We must constantly remind ourselves of who we are—spirit, soul, and body. Having spiritual and accountability groups help us stay grounded.

[52:12] “Leading by example is one of the best ways that we can improve our leadership skills and our relationships, especially in the areas of leadership, business, and in ministry.” - Click Here To Tweet This[52:23] Fruits of the Spirit

• Demonstrating emotional intelligence displays the manifestation of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
• These fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Enjoy the Podcast?

Seek Go Create is for anyone seeking excellence, moving towards success, or creating something new. We share topics, stories, and conversations that allow us to rethink how we live, work, and lead.

If you were inspired and educated by this episode, feel free to subscribe to us on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify so that you never miss another episode. Also, share this episode or what you’ve learned today on your favorite social media platform.

Love to give us 5 stars? If you do, we'd love a review from you. By leaving a review, you can help us reach more people and inspire them to understand the power of emotional intelligence.

Connect with the SeekGoCreate Network! For updates and more episodes, visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

To growing and becoming all we are created to be,

Tim

Mentioned in this episode:

Stop Reacting, Start Leading: Free 30-Minute Coaching Call

Are you leading with strategy or just reacting to the daily chaos? If you're feeling stuck, constantly putting out fires, and struggling to focus on the big picture, it’s time to take control. I’m offering a FREE 30-minute coaching call to help you shift from reactive to proactive leadership with clear, actionable strategies. Whether you’re facing new challenges or just need a reset, this call will give you clarity and direction. Book your free coaching call now by clicking the link in the show notes or visiting TimWinders.com/coaching.

Book Coaching Call

Your business's revenue is an excellent marker of how your business is doing. It tells you how much you've gained. But most importantly, revenue is a resource. Revenue Growth tells you that your business is healthy and capable of growing and serving your people. More revenue enables you to impact more and more people and allows God's Kingdom to flow through your business.

Darrell Amy saw the importance of revenue growth as he helped businesses scale and increase their impact. He joins us for a faith-driven conversation about revenue growth in this episode of Seek Go Create, and we discuss how business can be a door to God's Kingdom here on Earth. Darrell shares how you can optimize your business's foundation and alignment to help make this happen. 

For anyone out there who wants to make an impact and bring God’s Kingdom into your business, this conversation is for you.

3 reasons to Listen:

1. Discover what it means to be a kingdom-minded business.
2. Learn why you may need to stop and take time away to leave, seek, and listen.
3. Your business can be a lawnmower or a car. Find out how you can optimize your business’s engine for better revenue growth.

Resources

• Visit us and find more resources just for you on Seek Go Create’s website
• Revenue Growth Engine: How to Align Sales and Marketing to Accelerate Growth by Darrel Amy
• Kingdom Missions Fund
• Selling From the Heart Podcast
• Selling From the Heart: How Your Authentic Self Sells You by Larry Levine
• Wild at Heart: Discovering The Secret of a Man's Soul by John Eldredge
• Get a free copy of Revenue Growth Engine by Darrell Army! Just text “revenue” to 21000 or go to their website.
• Connect with Darrell on LinkedIn

About Darrell

Darrell Amy is a faith-driven entrepreneur, co-founder of the nonprofit Kingdom Missions Fund, speaker, author, and growth architect. He has 30 years of experience as a leader in sales and marketing, which allows him to help businesses grow their revenue and give more.

Darrell is the author of Revenue Growth Engine: How to Align Sales & Marketing to Accelerate Growth. He is also the host of the Revenue Growth Podcast and co-hosts the Selling From the Heart Podcast.

You can connect with Darrell and learn more about his work through LinkedIn and his website.

Episode Highlights[02:01] Darrell’s Passion for Growth and Impact

• Darrel is passionate about helping kingdom-minded business professionals grow their revenue and impact.
• More revenue means more resources. More resources can help your businesses make a bigger impact.
• When you grow your revenue, you can also give back and invest in other businesses  making an impact.
• Part of being a business is generating revenue. Setting up the right strategies and systems to drive revenue growth is critical.

[02:36] “The more revenue, the more resource, the more impact we're going to have.” - Click Here To Tweet This[04:20] Who Needs to Talk About Revenue Growth?

• Anyone who wants to make an impact needs revenue.
• In business, revenue is the data that matters. Having more revenue enables you to do what you want.
• The Word of God often talks about money. You don’t have to be afraid of it.
• As a business, you have a responsibility to provide your products and services to your stakeholders. 
• Part of this responsibility is growing revenue that allows you to continue serving your clients' needs.

[10:19] “Healthy businesses show the scorecard with revenue and hopefully revenue that's growing.” - Click Here To Tweet This[11:32] Exponential Entrepreneurial Impact

• Darrel wanted to help kingdom-minded entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and create more impact. Helping them allows him to make an exponential impact.
• The Kingdom Missions Fund supports innovative projects. Darrell noticed that their donors were also fellow entrepreneurs who shared their profits.
• Seeing this, he wanted to help more entrepreneurs boost their revenue growth. This way, they can also give back and make an impact.
• It’s vital to set your business up to grow. Maximizing your revenue flow allows you to have more impact.

[17:46] What It Means to be Kingdom-Minded

• The Lord’s Prayer talks about God’s kingdom. From the prayer, you’ll understand that God chose to bring His will here on Earth.
• Everybody has their domain. For an entrepreneur, your business is your domain.
• A kingdom-minded business owner understands the Lord’s Prayer. They work to bring God’s Kingdom into their businesses.
• When Darrel started his business in 2004, the relationships and conversations he had over the growth of his business added to his area of influence.
• Being Kingdom-minded means allowing God to rule and reign in your business. You choose to love the people you work with and serve.

[23:25] “A kingdom business is a business that is led by a kingdom person that says Kingdom come, will be done.” - Click Here To Tweet This[24:32] Darrell in His Early Years

• Darrell grew up surrounded by faith. However, they were also poor, which made him decide that he wanted to make money.
• His first business transaction was selling something he made himself. Using the money he earned, Darrell invested in more resources for better revenue growth.
• For a long time, Darrell felt he led two lives: his personal life and his business life. He didn’t see any connection between these two parts of him.
• His friend and co-host, Larry, helped him break the wall between these two lives. He learned that business is much better with your authentic self.
• Integrity is one of Darrell’s core values. He interprets this as integrating each aspect of his life.

[34:54] “Do your best to break the walls down. It takes some courage. But I think when you live with integrity wholeheartedly, you're going to do really well.” - Click Here To Tweet This[36:25] Losing Everything and Finding Your Heart

• In 2009, Darrell experienced a cut in revenue, and his marriage was starting to fall apart. His identity as a successful Christian businessman was all stripped away.
• Fortunately, the year before, he spent time starting to discover his heart.
• When everything collapses, you have two choices- get bitter or get better. After losing everything, Darrell began to discover who he is.
• He spent time asking hard questions and went on regular sabbaticals.

[43:33] Sabbaticals: A Time to Leave and Find Yourself

• At the Wild at Heart Bootcamp, Darrell learned of a covenant of silence. He was able to sit quietly and listen to God.
• He started going on regular sabbaticals. Every ninety days, he would go off the grid for three days.
• He spent these three days reflecting on what happened and looking forward to what was next. He took this time to relax and listen to God.
• These sabbaticals helped him discover the heart God gave him. It has helped him find clarity in the decisions he needed to make.
• The sons and daughters of God are led by the Spirit of God. To be led, you need to listen first.

[51:40] Your Business’ Growth Engine

• One day, Darrell realized he could use his lawnmower to travel instead of his car. However, he uses his car because it's better equipped for travel.
• Businesses are similar. They have growth engines that can run like lawnmowers or like cars.
• You can accelerate your growth by equipping your engine with the right processes. 
• When you focus on the right client and better processes, your business’s engine can generate more revenue with less hassle.

[54:14] “Every business has an engine- a growth engine. It's the sum total of your marketing and sales processes that are driving growth.” - Click Here To Tweet This[56:43] How Revenue Growth Helps

• One of Darrell’s readers shared with him how he was able to grow his business’ revenue with the help of his book.
• This kingdom-minded entrepreneur uses his increased resources to hire more employees and support different organizations.
• Revenue growth helps you stop worrying about your finances and business growth.

[59:27] Optimizing Your Growth Engine

• Every business has a growth engine. 
• Businesses are made up of people and processes. You have to make sure that you have the correct processes in place when you hire employees.
• Look at the processes you need to put in place. Once you set them, everything starts to go in the same direction.
• Optimizing your growth engine allows you to align everything. The business can become much easier to handle, grow your revenue and make an impact. 

[01:04:27] The Marketplace for Outcomes

• You are in a dynamic marketplace. Change and the uncertainty that comes with it are what is constant.
• Customers don’t buy your products and your services. They buy the outcomes that these things enable.
• Outcomes regularly change. You have to listen to your clients, know what's going on in your business, and understand what your client needs if you want to be successful.

[01:07:25] Choosing to Seek First

• Seek first.
• Try to get off the grid and seek the Kingdom of God.
• Seek and you will find. Don’t stop hustling. Instead, choose to seek first.

Enjoy the Podcast?

Seek Go Create is for anyone seeking excellence, moving towards success, or creating something new. We share topics, stories, and conversations that allow us to rethink how we live, work, and lead.

If you were inspired and educated by this episode, feel free to subscribe to us on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify so that you never miss another episode. Also, share this episode or what you’ve learned today on your favorite social media platform.

Love to give us 5 stars? If you do, we’d love a review from you. By doing this, you can help us reach more people who want to redefine success in their lives.

Connect with the SeekGoCreate Network! For updates and more episodes, visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

To growing and becoming all we are created to be,

Tim

Mentioned in this episode:

Stop Reacting, Start Leading: Free 30-Minute Coaching Call

Are you leading with strategy or just reacting to the daily chaos? If you're feeling stuck, constantly putting out fires, and struggling to focus on the big picture, it’s time to take control. I’m offering a FREE 30-minute coaching call to help you shift from reactive to proactive leadership with clear, actionable strategies. Whether you’re facing new challenges or just need a reset, this call will give you clarity and direction. Book your free coaching call now by clicking the link in the show notes or visiting TimWinders.com/coaching.

Book Coaching Call

If God did not want us to speak, then why did He give us a voice and a burning desire to share His message? Society has conditioned us to feel that we put ourselves above others when we speak on a stage. However, we need to remember that God gave us a voice for a reason.

Our voice is a gift for a greater purpose — to communicate, to express, and to connect in meaningful ways. We can also use our voice for public speaking, singing, praying, and teaching. So go do what God is calling you to do, whether it’s speaking, preaching, or teaching.

In this episode, we talk to Mary Snyder, a public speaker and coach who helps other speakers tell stories and messages that make a difference. She’s here to remind us that our voice can spread hope and encouragement. We can inspire and motivate others. Mary also talks about what storytelling can do for the greater good of humanity.

Do you want to move people to action as a public speaker? Don’t miss this episode and learn how to capture the attention of your audience!

3 reasons to Listen:

1. Realize that our voices are powerful tools we can use to inspire positive change.
2. Learn the steps in building a speaking career or ministry.
3. Discover the importance of substance and meaningful content in public speaking, and why it’s not enough to only entertain.

Resources

• Visit the Seek Go Create website for show notes, resources, and more!
• Connect with Mary: Website | Facebook | Instagram
• Activate Your Speaking Career
• Take the Stage Podcast
• Take the Stage Speakers — Facebook group with free coaching 
• Master Your Message — free resources from Mary Snyder

About Mary

Mary Snyder is a public speaker and a coach with over 20 years of experience helping others craft effective and impactful messages that inspire their audience to take action.

If you'd like to reach out to Mary, you can contact her on her website or send a message on Facebook.

Episode Highlights[02:50] Working with People

• Mary helps people craft messages that matter, make a difference, and inspire their audience to take action.
• She primarily works in faith communities. However, Mary is branching out to collaborate with secular businesses owned by people of faith.
• She cannot separate being a follower of Christ from being an entrepreneur.

[05:14] “I can do what I do without offending the non-believer, but at the same time, I'm not going to minimize who I am.” - Click Here To Tweet This[20:17] Being a Storyteller

• Mary attributes her natural talent for storytelling to her upbringing.
• She grew up with women who were wonderful storytellers.
• Even the Bible is a collection of stories, and these stories move our hearts.
• If you ask for money without context, people can reject you easily. Tell a story of a community coming together and helping others in need, and people are more likely to listen.
• Knowing who you are helping and why strengthens people’s resolve to contribute.

[21:59] “If I told you a story . . . a story of resilience of someone who made their way all the way to this little town, you're going to be more likely to lean in and listen . . . Think about the commercials you watch. They're all stories.” - Click Here To Tweet This[23:25] The Need for Face-to-Face Community

• It has become more challenging to speak in front of an audience and appeal to the humanity of the soul.
• COVID-19 is to blame, as well as people’s overexposure to media filled only with entertainment.
• Mary agrees we need more face-to-face communities.
• We used to gather around and talk to each other. However, we stopped living life with people when we built houses differently.

[25:25] “There is so much more to speaking than just the words coming out of your mouth. The power of communication is a full body craft.” - Click Here To Tweet This[28:58] From Direct Mail to Social Media Marketing

• It’s important for aspiring speakers and business owners to have an email list.
• There are dangers to relying too much on social media platforms. They are often subject to glitches or policy changes that can impact your following or access to the platform.
• Do not put all your eggs in one basket. Mary teaches people to share their message in person and in the digital space.
• She advocates learning how to speak effectively in person and command an audience’s attention in order to effectively share a message digitally.
• People have access to endless entertainment on their phones. If your speech is boring, they are just going to scroll.

[32:07] Using Your Voice Despite Setbacks

• Mary wrote a musical 25 to 30 years ago that played on Broadway.
• She never forgot a dear friend who told her, “What, do you think you’re Beth Moore or something?”
• Mary felt devastated. However, she knew that if God asked you to share your message with the world, your job is to take the audience through the story and show them what He can do in their life.
• Use your voice to do God’s call, despite the struggles you face.

[33:12] “When you step on a stage to deliver a God-given message, there is no larger call to be a servant. Because you are serving that audience.” - Click Here To Tweet This[37:27] Ego and a Strong Personality

• Mary has an incredibly strong personality and has never met a microphone she did not love.
• She reminds anyone who has a personality like hers — big, bold, leader personalities — to watch out for their ego.
• There’s nothing wrong with commanding attention as long as you keep it in check. The stage should be about the audience, not the speaker.
• Mary has to pray for humility to ward off the intoxicating drug — the applause — that makes her want to keep talking about herself.

[44:24] Do What God Called You to Do

• The first step is to determine what your message is going to be. What did God want you to share?
• Expand the idea and write what that message is going to be.
• The second step is to think of one person who will receive the message. Identify who they are, from their age and kids to their education and career.
• Do they go to church? If they do, what kind of church? Is that person an atheist?
• These steps are the foundation of building a speaking career or ministry.

[46:13] What Is Your Message?

• What has God done in your life?
• What’s important to you?
• Is there something that people come to talk to you about?
• What are the stories in the Bible that resonate with your soul?

[50:08] Why Do You Need to Know How to Share a Message?

• If you are doing anything in the business world, you need to know how to share a message.
• Don’t limit your dreams; you know where you want to be.
• Don’t fixate on one thing that you end up missing what God has in store for you.
• Sharing your story can help other people take the right path and avoid the mistakes you did.

[50:58] “Don’t minimize your dream. Don’t limit it. You know where you want to be. It’s okay to dream, but it’s okay to change.” - Click Here To Tweet ThisEnjoy the Podcast?

Seek Go Create is for anyone seeking excellence, moving towards success, or creating something new. We share topics, stories, and conversations that allow us to rethink how we live, work, and lead.

If you were inspired and educated by this episode, feel free to subscribe to us on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify so that you never miss another episode. Also, share this episode or what you’ve learned today on your favorite social media platform.

Love to give us 5 stars? If you do, we’d love a review from you. By doing this, you can help us reach more people who want to redefine success in their lives.

Connect with the SeekGoCreate Network! For updates and more episodes, visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

To growing and becoming all we are created to be,

Tim

Mentioned in this episode:

Stop Reacting, Start Leading: Free 30-Minute Coaching Call

Are you leading with strategy or just reacting to the daily chaos? If you're feeling stuck, constantly putting out fires, and struggling to focus on the big picture, it’s time to take control. I’m offering a FREE 30-minute coaching call to help you shift from reactive to proactive leadership with clear, actionable strategies. Whether you’re facing new challenges or just need a reset, this call will give you clarity and direction. Book your free coaching call now by clicking the link in the show notes or visiting TimWinders.com/coaching.

Book Coaching Call

Are you proud of how you manage your money? Managing your finances can be a challenging task. This is especially true for us Christians who often view wealth as something to be ashamed of. However, this is not true. Being rich in spirit doesn’t necessarily mean suffering financially. You can build your wealth and pass on your riches and your vision in life to the next generation. 

Learn how to manage your money wisely with Leo Marte. He joins us for an interesting conversation about wealth, faith, and the future in this episode of Seek Go Create. Leo shares his insight on people’s different perspectives of money and how we can approach it in a way that would make God proud. Get to know more about the importance of managing your cash flow and planning for the future, especially in today’s economic situation.

It’s time to take a look at your finances. Join us in this episode to learn more about how you can make God proud by handling your wealth wisely!

3 Reasons to Listen:

1. Find out why it’s important to have a plan for your finances.
2. Understand how you can start managing your cash flow today for a better future.
3. Get an insight into the economic crisis the people face today and learn what you can do to overcome it.

Resources

• Visit the Seek Go Create website for show notes, resources, and much more!
• The Pantry Podcast
• Check out the Abundant Advisors website for their courses and other resources
• The Faith Driven Entrepreneur Movement

About Leo

Leo Marte is a financial advisor. He is passionate about helping Christians with faith-based financial planning and investment advisory services. After years of working in a corporate career, he found his calling and started Abundant Advisors, a Christian-focused firm. Leo works with his clients to assess their goals and needs, and create and implement a financial plan and other services that help manage their finances.

Leo is a certified financial planner. You can learn more about him and his work as a financial advisor on the Abundant Advisors website or on his LinkedIn.

Episode Highlights[02:15] Meet Leo

• Leo helps people manage their money wisely and build generational wealth. Generational wealth isn’t only about passing down your assets. It also means passing down your values and vision to your family.
• Wealth has always been a part of the scriptures. Your relationship with money can say a lot about your relationship with God.
• Growing up, Leo and his family were part of the lower middle class. He was taught to be a wise steward of money.
• The Old Testament, Sunday School, and sermons left an impact on him. They shaped his maturity and understanding not just of the Scripture but also of money.
• He learned about finances at an investment firm and found his calling to start his own firm. There, he works with people to tackle their mindset and relationship with money. 

“God has a lot in store for his people. A big part of that is how they interact, their relationship with money says a lot about their relationship with God.” - Click Here To Tweet This[11:20] Redefining Life

• Leo’s corporate career was focused on getting high up the ladder. As he stepped into higher positions, he realized the job became more and more stressful.
• No matter how high his position was, he was still limited in his ability to implement changes. In time, he realized this wasn’t God’s calling for him.
• Leo sought something new that was aligned with his beliefs. He went and created his own firm that gave him freedom and flexibility.
• When his son was born, Leo realized he didn’t want to miss out on spending time with his family. 
• That realization encouraged him to make a choice and change the direction of his life.

[17:51] The Importance of Managing Cash Flow

• An issue for upper-middle-class Christians is how they manage cash flow. 
• People tend to inflate their lifestyle based on how much they’re saving instead of saving for the future. They end up not saving enough to sustain their lifestyle.
• You need to make a choice to change your lifestyle now and be able to sustain this new lifestyle. 
• Create a rational spending and investment plan. The earlier you start to manage your money, the more wealth, freedom, and independence you can gain later on.

“It's a constant battle between how much do I enjoy today, and live in terms of inflation of lifestyle today based on what I'm making.” - Click Here To Tweet This[23:32] Filtering Your Spending

• Having a goal or target in mind can help go further to achieve them. Figure out what gives your life satisfaction.
• Your values are your filter for spending. They can help you figure out your consumption.
• Your perception and attitude towards money can change. There is no right or wrong way. Reflect and ask yourself if God would be proud of how you’re managing your budget.
• Space can dictate your spending patterns. The bigger the space, the more things you need to fill it. You need the self-discipline to manage your money rationally. 
• People often try to justify their spending. Remember that it’s okay to have nice things. What matters is balancing it.

[27:28] “If God were to look at our budget, would he be proud of the way that we're managing what we have? And that's ultimately what matters.” - Click Here To Tweet This[35:27] Today’s Financial Situation

• The past year has undoubtedly been challenging. The COVID pandemic has rocked the economy and triggered inflation and other problems.
• Remember that this too will pass. The market will keep on going and growing. Look at the situation contextually, calm down and make sure you have a plan.
• Plan for your finances to protect yourself from the changes that happen in the market. Be smart and stick to your plan.

[39:33] “Be smart, create a plan, and stick to your plan.“ - Click Here To Tweet This[40:16] Looking at the Market Trends

• Nobody can predict how the actions the feds will take would affect the economy. They’re willing to do what it takes to control inflation.
• The United States has the highest and fastest interest rate increases. Due to this, inflation has slowly stopped and is now going down.
• It can usually take 18 to 24 months of a recessionary environment for the economy to readjust.
• Step back and look at the long-term perspective to help you see the upward trend in the market.

[43:29] The Potential of Cryptocurrency

• Cryptocurrency has a lot of potential in the world economy. It addresses issues that the traditional finance ecosystem doesn’t.
• People need to be careful when stepping into cryptocurrency. Unfortunately, many people misuse the system.
• The platform for cryptocurrency is a solid system. The technology for it can stay even years later.

[47:25] Working with a Financial Advisor

• People are often busy and don’t want to spend their time figuring out their finances.  Some people want to create plans for their retirement.
• Leo also works with people throughout their careers to walk them through the process of managing their finances and investments.
• When looking for a financial advisor, it's important to look at the person's character. A designation, title, or license doesn’t say anything about the quality of their work.
• Financial advice touches on every aspect of your life. Make sure your advisor shares your values and beliefs so they can give advice that aligns with your vision.
• The best filter for the advice you receive is the scripture.

[52:32] “Financial advice is very different because it touches every aspect of your life.” - Click Here To Tweet This[55:28] What is Generational Wealth

• The Old Testament emphasizes long-term planning. God was planning the story of His people and wealth played a role in the story.
• The scripture shows that wealth is a result of wisdom applied consistently over time. 
• Majority of the people want to consume all of their wealth. Leo feels that this is what goes against biblical wisdom as long-term planning is a part of wisdom.
• Break the cycle of generational poverty. Have an enjoyable life while still creating a blessed future for the next generation.

[56:36] “Wealth tends to be an outcome of wisdom applied consistently over time.” - Click Here To Tweet This[1:01:14] What Success Looks Like for Leo

• Humans have the unique ability to create and add value. 
• Creation can change people’s lives.
• Leo asks you, what is it that God is calling you to create?

Enjoy the Podcast?

Seek Go Create is for anyone seeking excellence, moving towards success, or creating something new. We share topics, stories, and conversations that allow us to rethink how we live, work, and lead.

If you were inspired and educated by this episode, feel free to subscribe to us on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify so that you never miss another episode. Also, share this episode or what you’ve learned today on your favorite social media platform.

Love to give us 5 stars? If you do, we’d love a review from you. By doing this, you can help us reach more people who want to redefine success in their lives.

Connect with the SeekGoCreate Network! For updates and more episodes, visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

To growing and becoming all we are created to be,

Tim

Mentioned in this episode:

Stop Reacting, Start Leading: Free 30-Minute Coaching Call

Are you leading with strategy or just reacting to the daily chaos? If you're feeling stuck, constantly putting out fires, and struggling to focus on the big picture, it’s time to take control. I’m offering a FREE 30-minute coaching call to help you shift from reactive to proactive leadership with clear, actionable strategies. Whether you’re facing new challenges or just need a reset, this call will give you clarity and direction. Book your free coaching call now by clicking the link in the show notes or visiting TimWinders.com/coaching.

Book Coaching Call

We all go through moments in our life where everything feels like it's falling apart. We get so focused on the negative feelings that it makes us feel helpless, guilty, and shameful all at the same time. In these moments, it begins to feel impossible to break through this spiral of negativity. But when you start to take the focus away from yourself and put others over yourself, you'll find yourself pouring grace not only into others but yourself as well.

In this episode of Seek, Go, Create, Shelly Rood joins us for a compelling conversation about faith, selflessness, and leadership. Shelly speaks about the concept of Others Over Self® and the two sides of serving others. She also discusses what to do when your plans don't exactly follow God's plans for you. We are given breath in each day to pour goodness into the people around us, and once you do, you'll feel a piece of God working inside you.

Join us in this episode to learn more about the impact of putting others over yourself!

3 Reasons to Listen:

1. Discover how faith and the hustle culture intertwine.
2. Find out what selflessness means.
3. Understand that God will tell you where you need to be, but you’re in charge of how to get there.

Resources

• Visit the Seek Go Create website for show notes, resources, and much more!
• The Letters (2014)
• 4 ways to make a meaningful connection with military people
• Seek, Go, Create: Redefining Success in 5 Steps
• Others Over Self: Website | Facebook | Instagram

About Shelly

Shelly Rood is the co-founder of Mission: Ambition, which is dedicated to providing training that connects people through shared life experiences and celebrates our nation's heroes. She is also the creator of Others Over Self®, a leadership mindset serving people in positions of impact. Shelly served in the United States Army Reserves for 16 years. She is an advocate for selfless service in action.

You can learn more about Shelly and her work on her website and LinkedIn.

Episode Highlights[02:46] Who is Shelly?

• Shelly’s life mission is to have meaningful conversations with people. What they do at Mission: Ambition is to train people how to deepen their interpersonal skills.
• Deep interpersonal skills lead to better wellness for you, other people, and society as a whole.
• The deficit of meaningful conversations today has roots in the soundbite and instant gratification culture.
• Shelly spent a lot of time in her 20s hustling in her career. But she learned that it’s better to take her time climbing her way to the top without stepping on other people.

[05:41] “As we climb our way to the top, we don't need to be climbing and stepping on other people to get there.” - Click Here To Tweet This[06:59] Faith in the Hustle Culture

• Jesus only had 33 years on Earth. He was healing the sick until he was exhausted and couldn’t stand on his feet anymore.
• You don't have to hustle every single minute of every single day. Even the military has rest and relaxation built into their schedule.
• John Wesley himself was hustle-driven. Methodism revolves around doing certain things to show or act out your Christianity.
• Hustle culture is an inherent Christian value. But we have to be careful with how we frame it so that we don’t lose depth.
• God works in much deeper ways when you get down from the deepness and hurt of life.

[12:50] “When you really, really get down and have things taken away... and you're surrounded with nothing and your heart is just cracked open, that's where God moves the most.” - Click Here To Tweet This[14:52] On Selflessness

• We've been in bad times since the fall of Adam and Eve. Nothing is happening now that has not happened since the dawn of society.
• Shelly’s previous marriage was abusive. From the outside in, she had a beautiful life, but from the inside out, everything was falling apart.
• We get very self-focused in moments of our life when everything feels like falling apart. On top of that, a layer of shame and guilt gets built.
• The only way to break through this spiral is to serve another human being and take the focus away from yourself.
• Doing a good deed for another human being creates a hit of the light of God that works through you.

“Whatever it is, just do a good deed for another human being.” - Click Here To Tweet This[21:00] Two Sides of Serving Others

• Mother Teresa taught children of the rich within the safety of the convent. But as she saw people suffering in the streets, she had a deep internal call to go out there.
• She had to fight the Church to follow her calling. She consistently wrote letters back to her spiritual mentor and showed signs of depression.
• One of the signs of saintliness is having a deep level of care and depression in your work.
• Serving others will make you feel that piece of God working inside you. But constantly sacrificing yourself for others will make you feel the heaviness of life.
• Living the way Jesus did means not having a cheerleader smile on your face all the time.

“If you are a believer, and you really do believe that we're supposed to act and live the way that Jesus does, then you're not supposed to have a cheerleader smile on your face every day all the time.“ - Click Here To Tweet This[27:19] Having Different Life Journeys 

• We grow and change throughout different areas of our life.
• On one hand, you are extremely special and unique. But on another, you’re not the only one in existence that has walked the negative path you’ve walked.
• The beauty of the Bible is that it shows the sins and brokenness of people.
• Sometimes, knowing something is morally wrong doesn’t mean we’re not going to do them. 

[31:20] Becoming a Follower of Christ

• Shelly was raised Catholic. While they were in church every Sunday, the Jesus piece was never really brought back into their home.
• She joined the military in her 20s and found herself back in church on a Sunday when things felt heavy during her 10-year marriage.
• As an intelligence professional, agreeing or disagreeing with something for her has to do with analyzing a lot of data.
• Working with a pastoral counselor allowed her to deeply examine her belief in Christ. Her choice to believe in Him came from years of questions and seeking answers.
• After her divorce, her pastoral counselor suggested she go to seminary. Getting into ministry showed her that pastors are some of the most deeply educated individuals.

[41:57] Going to the Military

• The 90s were some of her formative years. The number one hit TV show at the time was The X-Files, which featured a very strong and logical female character.
• She graduated with a degree in journalism from Western Michigan University.
• Her love for digging deeper and figuring out the root of an issue was where her calling to the intelligence world came from.
• She served in the military for 16 years. Towards the end of her military career, she felt the calling to transfer from the intelligence world into the Chaplain Corps.

[45:56] God’s Plans vs. Your Plans

• The packet she put in for the Chaplain Corps was kicked around for paperwork issues and errors for years.
• She had to graduate from one of her schools to stay on to become a major. But she couldn’t get into her intelligence school because she had a branch transfer packet. 
• She eventually got discharge orders in 2018. She spent the next four years trying to re-enlist in every single branch, but she was medically disqualified.
• God's purpose for her worked out differently. Shelly has graduated from seminary and is now an ordained minister and chaplain.
• She found herself questioning God after receiving her discharge order. His answer was that she didn't need to be a soldier to serve the soldiers.

[49:29] Where Shelly is Now

• She opened her educational consulting business in 2017 when she still thought she was going to be a military chaplain.
• Teaching and training made her realize her love for large-scale public speaking.
• With a chaplain title as a civilian, she feels that she has had enough external validation to establish herself as a young, accomplished professional.
• A few years back, Michigan’s veteran liaison approached Shelly to lead a female peer support program for all the military women in the state.
• They also have a program called Warriors with Warriors, where they train people of faith on how to interact with military people.

[53:24] What Non-Military People Need to Understand

• The three things you should stay away from when talking with a military person are talking about politics, religion, and yourself.
• Military women are the most diverse group of individuals you can ever come across.
• The number one thing to know about a military woman is she knows exactly what she wants, and she’ll go after it.
• A lot of military women can be hard to love because they don’t fit certain stereotypes.

[01:00:00] Male vs. Female Leadership

• Shelly believes in the physiological differences between the two sexes. Only when we understand this can we make progress regarding differences in leadership styles.
• We run into a lot of stereotypes in male-to-female leadership. Both men and women incorrectly stereotype women.
• Leadership is a skill that is trained and developed over time. 
• It's better to see it from an "equal and different" perspective because there are inherent social differentiators between inequalities and equity.
• God has a mission-first mindset. When it comes to leadership, it doesn't matter who holds the position as long as the mission is getting accomplished.

[01:05:57] Leading with Love and Respect

• Shelly encourages women to lead with love and respect instead of stepping on people while clawing their way to the top.

“From a standpoint of being a strong woman, I want to encourage you to lead with love, lead with respect.” - Click Here To Tweet This[1:08:13] Go

• Shelly believes that we are given breath in our day so that we can go do what the Lord is calling us to do.
• Go do the thing that will pour goodness into your society and the people around you.

Enjoy the Podcast?

Seek Go Create is for anyone seeking excellence, moving towards success, or creating something new. We share topics, stories, and conversations that allow us to rethink how we live, work, and lead. Don’t fall into the trap of hustle culture. Find your rest and be at peace.

If you were inspired and educated by this episode, feel free to subscribe to us on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify so that you never miss another episode. Also, share this episode or what you’ve learned today on your favorite social media platform.

Love to give us 5 stars? If you do, we’d love a review from you. By doing this, you can help us reach more people who want to redefine success in their lives.

Connect with the SeekGoCreate Network! For updates and more episodes, visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

To growing and becoming all we are created to be,

Tim

Mentioned in this episode:

Stop Reacting, Start Leading: Free 30-Minute Coaching Call

Are you leading with strategy or just reacting to the daily chaos? If you're feeling stuck, constantly putting out fires, and struggling to focus on the big picture, it’s time to take control. I’m offering a FREE 30-minute coaching call to help you shift from reactive to proactive leadership with clear, actionable strategies. Whether you’re facing new challenges or just need a reset, this call will give you clarity and direction. Book your free coaching call now by clicking the link in the show notes or visiting TimWinders.com/coaching.

Book Coaching Call

It's a new year, and we can't help but make a list of goals to check off as the year progresses. Indeed, our society has become obsessed with being busy and doing more. Being spread too thin is like a badge of honor. Is hustle culture, however, the way we should live our lives? 

In this first episode of Seek, Go, Create in 2023, Tim discusses why hustling should not be our life's goal. He explains why living in peace and rest is more profitable — and more similar to how Jesus lived — instead of engaging in the hustle and hurry culture. Finally, he provides tips and practices for pausing and remaining calm. 

If you want to discover why you should avoid the hustle culture, tune in to this episode! 

3 Reasons to Listen:

1. Learn why Jesus never lived a life of hustle and hurry — and why you shouldn’t either.
2. Explore the two types of people and their mindsets. 
3. Uncover tips and practices to live peacefully. 

Resources

•   Visit the Seek Go Create website for show notes, resources, and more!

Episode Highlights[08:08] Disconnecting from the Hustle Culture 

• Despite having the most important mission on Earth, Jesus never rushed or hustled.
• Jesus was aware of His limited time on earth, but He remained patient and focused on His mission to save the people.
• Unlike most of us, Jesus never regarded hustling as a badge of honor. 

[13:43] Two Types of People and Their Mindset 

• Following God's lessons and teachings entails adopting the Lord's way of life.
• There are two kinds of people in the world: those who want to thrive and those who don't.
• People who want to improve often have a hustler mindset, whereas others live in a state of peace and rest.

[18:43] Defining Peace and Rest[18:56] “Peace is defined by something like this: I am created for a purpose, and my Creator will lead me and guide me to that purpose.” - Click Here to Tweet This

• Peace means being created with a purpose in mind.
• God will lead and guide us to our true calling. 
• When love and faith dominate our soul, peace exists.
• Rest occurs when there is no conflict between the spirit, the soul, and the body.
• Rest is neither earned nor taken. It is received.

[20:01]  “Peace exists when love and faith dominate one's soul and that allows an individual to abide in a place of rest.” - Click Here to Tweet This[21:31] Tim Discovers Peace  

• Tim used to live in the hustle culture. Today, however, he is leaning toward rest and peace.
• He used to be proud of his ability to work long hours while sleeping only 3 to 4 hours per night.
• When the recession hit in 2008, he began to reconsider his life choices.

[24:56] The Challenges of Hustle Culture 

• The hustle culture is about the self—you don't get to trust others.
• Starting your day early does not ensure you will make the most of it. Prioritize getting adequate rest instead. 
• Maintain constant peace and rest. Don't think you have to succeed before you can achieve them. 
• We can overcome adversity by remaining calm.

[25:56]  “I'm against believing that the earlier you get up is going to have massive change in the way we function and operate.” - Click Here to Tweet This[29:49] Be Open to Surrender 

• Peace entails surrendering, trusting, and letting go of things beyond our control.
• This world is bigger than us — trust that everything will work out.
• Listen to the entire episode to uncover the lessons Tim gained while living in an RV.
• Slow down and enjoy your journey. 
• The goal is to live a life without the need for vacations.

[32:38] “And this is what I've learned from RV-ing. I just need to slow down, enjoy the journey. Be patient; not getting in a hurry; not being in a rush.” - Click Here to Tweet This[34:27]  Tips for Living in Peace

• Look at your calendar and make room for rest. Tune in to the entire episode to find out how Tim plans his day.
• Observe if you’re always rushing. If so, find some time to pause. 
• Learn to say, “No.” 
• Be with people who get things done while remaining calm and peaceful.  

[38:22] “Do less. In all likelihood, most achievers, people that are trying to achieve and accomplish, you have too many things piled on your plate.” - Click Here to Tweet ThisEnjoy the Podcast?

Seek Go Create is for anyone seeking excellence, moving towards success, or creating something new. We share topics, stories, and conversations that allow us to rethink how we live, work, and lead. Don’t fall into the trap of hustle culture. Find your rest and be at peace.

If you were inspired and educated by this episode, feel free to subscribe to us on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify so that you never miss another episode. Also, share this episode or what you’ve learned today on your favorite social media platform.

Love to give us 5 stars? If you do, we’d love a review from you. By doing this, you can help us reach more people who want to redefine success in their lives.

Connect with the SeekGoCreate Network! For updates and more episodes, visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

To growing and becoming all we are created to be,

Tim

Mentioned in this episode:

Stop Reacting, Start Leading: Free 30-Minute Coaching Call

Are you leading with strategy or just reacting to the daily chaos? If you're feeling stuck, constantly putting out fires, and struggling to focus on the big picture, it’s time to take control. I’m offering a FREE 30-minute coaching call to help you shift from reactive to proactive leadership with clear, actionable strategies. Whether you’re facing new challenges or just need a reset, this call will give you clarity and direction. Book your free coaching call now by clicking the link in the show notes or visiting TimWinders.com/coaching.

Book Coaching Call

It has been four years since Tim and Glori decided to live in an RV, and as the year comes to a close, they can't wait to share what they've learned along the way.

In this special holiday episode, Tim and Glori share the advantages and drawbacks of living in an RV. They also talked about how this lifestyle change allowed them to think outside the box and why it brought them closer to God. Finally, they explain what it means to trust completely in the Lord's plan. 

If you want to know more about living the life of a nomad, this episode is for you! 

3 Reasons to Listen:

1. Understand the pros and cons of living on the road. 
2. Learn why you need to entirely put your trust in God.
3. Discover how you can join Glori’s Bible reading group.

Resources

• Read through the Bible with Glori in 2023. Get all the details here.
• Visit the Seek Go Create website for show notes, resources, and more!
• Subscribe at the Seek, Go, Create Youtube Channel!

Episode Highlights[06:44] The RV Life 

• Tim and Glori have traveled extensively with their motor coach over the last four years.
• However, finding one's own space and quiet can be difficult when staying in an RV.

[12:10] Think Outside the Box

• Living in a small space forces you to think creatively. Listen to the whole episode to learn how Glori made the most of her RV life.
• Having unlimited resources can sometimes lead to sloppiness and laziness.
• The RV lifestyle teaches you to be more patient and to enjoy the journey.

[12:10] “But one thing that I would say, over the last four years that I've been forced to do, is that living in a small space like this[RV]...will force you to think outside the box.” - Click Here to Tweet This[16:28] To RV or Not to RV? 

• Tim and Glori's decision to live in an RV was not made on the spur of the moment. The couple's decision was guided by God.
• The RV lifestyle, however, is not for everyone. 
• Be open-minded when something is presented to you.
• When God calls, obey.

[21:31] To a New Adventure 

• While Tim and Glori enjoy their current home, they are also considering purchasing new farmland or property.
• The couple is unfamiliar with farming, but they see it as an exciting new adventure.
• However, the decision is not yet final. They are still anticipating God's plan.

[22:27] God’s Plan

• The Lord may call us to do something we believe is impossible but is actually doable.
• Be flexible and listen to God’s plan. 
• Don’t lose hope. Things can always change for the better. 

[24:06] “We just want to encourage people along the way on the journey. Things can change: the culture, politics, countries.” - Click Here to Tweet This[25:53] Trust God [26:45] “But I think the thing that God has shown to me time and time and time again this year is that He loves us. He protects us.” - Click Here to Tweet This

• In 2022, Tim and Glori experienced both happiness and sadness. The emotional rollercoaster they experienced made them believe God loved and protected them
• The Lord has a better plan for us than we could have imagined.
• Put your faith and trust in God.  

[27:10] “His ways are bigger than our ways. And the thing he's just been telling me all year is just trust me. Trust me. Trust me.” - Click Here to Tweet This

[36:37] Glori’s Reading Group 

• Glori invited everyone to join her "Read the Bible with me in 2023" program.
• She learned new lessons from the reading group. As such, Glori launched a year-long bible reading in January 2022.
• Glori, her daughter, and friends are looking forward to doing the bible study next year. 
• Understanding the chronological and bigger picture of the bible's story is essential.

Enjoy the Podcast?

Seek Go Create is for anyone seeking excellence, moving towards success, or creating something new. We share topics, stories, and conversations that allow us to rethink how we live, work, and lead.

If you were inspired and educated by this episode, feel free to subscribe to us on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify so that you never miss another episode. Also, share this episode or what you’ve learned today on your favorite social media platform.

Love to give us 5 stars? If you do, we’d love a review from you. By doing this, you can help us reach more people who want to redefine success in their lives.

Connect with the SeekGoCreate Network! For updates and more episodes, visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

To growing and becoming all we are created to be,

Tim

Mentioned in this episode:

Stop Reacting, Start Leading: Free 30-Minute Coaching Call

Are you leading with strategy or just reacting to the daily chaos? If you're feeling stuck, constantly putting out fires, and struggling to focus on the big picture, it’s time to take control. I’m offering a FREE 30-minute coaching call to help you shift from reactive to proactive leadership with clear, actionable strategies. Whether you’re facing new challenges or just need a reset, this call will give you clarity and direction. Book your free coaching call now by clicking the link in the show notes or visiting TimWinders.com/coaching.

Book Coaching Call

What makes you get up every day and do your best work? It’s motivation that drives you to do what you do each day. It keeps you pushing through the obstacles that get in your way. However, not everyone can determine what drives them. Some are still searching for their deeper reasons, while others have lost them over time. If you don’t know what drives you, you may find yourself unable to do your best work, stagnating, and afraid to take risks.

Sam Coates slowly lost his drive over time, but he eventually found his answers through the stories of other people. In this episode of Seek Go Create, Sam joins Tim to dive into what you can learn from the untold stories of people. They talk also about why telling your story can help you find the right people for your business. Learn from Sam’s ups and downs and how he pursued what he’s driven to do, no matter the risks.

Tune in to hear Sam’s journey and be inspired by his passion for sharing the lives of driven trailblazers!

3 Reasons to Listen:

1. Be inspired by Sam’s story and how he discovered his drive.
2. Learn when to keep an eye out for risks and when to take a risk.
3. Discover what keeps you motivated.

Resources

• Visit the Seek Go Create website for show notes, resources, and more!
• Check out the Driven By Podcast by Sam Coates
• Driven By Podcast Episode Recommendations
• Drew Holcomb | Start-up Hustle, The End Game, Thick Skin, Identity, Imposter Syndrome, Contentment, and More
• “I Have to Start Here?” with Geoff Calkins
• Dead Or Alive, You’re Coming Home. Why We All Want Closure with Justin LeHew from History Flight
• We Were Built For This with Pat Lawler
• Connect with Sam on his website

About Sam 

Sam Coates hosts Driven By Podcast which tells the stories of what drives people to do the work they do. Each episode is a conversation that dives into leaders, trailblazers, and driven people about their deeper reasons. Sam helps them tell their stories, the risks they’ve taken, their values, and learnings for others to hear and learn from. 

Sam is also the founder of Driven By Productions, where he produces private and public interviews for companies all over the States. They interview business leaders and tell the stories of the businesses they’ve built. He helps his clients share their messages with those who need to hear them.

Connect with Sam and find out more about what drives him on his website.

Episode Highlights[02:08] What Drives Sam

• Sam produces interviews that share who people are at their core. He captures the stories of corporations, companies, and individuals to inspire others.
• He started a business in college that he ended up selling in 2019. He’s still an entrepreneur to this day.
• Sam’s interest lies in connecting with other people. He’s in the flow when he’s talking to someone and drawing out their stories.
• Podcasting is much more than just having conversations. Despite the challenges, he wants to keep on doing what he enjoys.

[08:16] The Stories of Corporations

• Sam started his podcast in June 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
• After an interview with a company’s co-founder, they wanted him to make a podcast for them. It would share the story and the culture of the company with its many employees.
• Sam then started to work with different clients on different projects.
• He also monitors metrics. With the right analytics, you can measure profitability, engagements, and more.

[12:15] What People’s Stories Tell You

• There’s something about people who want to be in their workplace that leads them to excel.
• He looks into what drives a person and how it’s part of something bigger.
• Stories create a sense of community. A person’s story can contribute to finding the right people for a business.
• It’s important to look at people and honor their skills. Sharing their stories allows other people to learn.

[15:41] “[People] have something inside of them that makes them want to be a part of that company. And even though that company is trying to make money and grow, they do love their people. I get to tell the stories that reflect that.” - Click Here To Tweet This[17:59] Identity as a Foundation

• The identity of an organization is foundational. Sam helps people share their identities through his work.
• The identity of a company matches the personality and values of its founder. You can learn more about an organization by understanding the founder.
• He works with founder- and non-founder-led organizations.

[26:27] Sam’s Story

• Sam was born, raised, and is currently living in Memphis. He started his lawn mowing business in 2009, and it was thriving by 2012.
• Hiring good people and leveraging their skills enabled their team to do good work. For him, it was fun to grow the business and make people happy with their service.
• In the past, Sam’s family went bankrupt. He became wary of the risks and possibility of failure in life.
• Sam started losing energy and passion to work. He ended up with many losses and had to sell his landscaping company.
• He now has his drive back, working hard to tell people’s stories.
• Sam is a follower of Christ. He firmly believes that God has a plan for his life.

[31:45] “It was like a switch changed . . . I was trying to do it, but it felt forced.” - Click Here To Tweet This[37:13] Building a Business

• Businesses will always have risks. His experiences encouraged him to watch the numbers closely and be careful when making decisions.
• Sam prays for open doors to the right way and closed doors to the wrong ones.
• Building his business has taken risks, time, and effort. Despite the challenges, he wants to continue to serve people, build great relationships and make a difference.
• Don’t get too wrapped up in your ideas and emotions. Look outside of yourself for the help and guidance you need.

[43:34] Taking Risks at Work

• Running a podcast comes with a lot of worries and hesitation. Sam watches his risk closely and pushes through by taking advantage of open doors.
• There will always be a risk. However, the skills and knowledge he gained will stay with him even if his business runs dry.
• Sam also makes sure to work with people who work hard and are compatible with his personality.
• He’s encouraged by the work he does, which honors and serves others. Sam is more willing to take risks for them despite his initial hesitation.
• There are a lot of opportunities for people willing to do great work and do the right thing.

[48:48] “I think there's a lot of opportunity for people that are willing to just get after and do great work and try to do the right thing.” - Click Here To Tweet This[49:43] The Stories from Driven By

• Driven By currently has 77 episodes. Altogether, Sam has done close to 300 conversations.
• Sam sometimes gets stuck comparing his past failures with the successes of his friends. He needs to release this insecurity to do what he does best.
• One principle he learned from his conversations in Driven By is to love, focus, and hone your craft.
• He also found that it’s the people who have experienced pain and adversity that can cut through the noise. Their experience with brokenness has revealed their wholeness.
• Find out more lessons Sam learned through Driven By and his guests when you tune in to the full episode.

[55:32] “It essentially broke their personality. And then you see the beauty and the wholeness that’s who they are.” - Click Here To Tweet This[58:09] How Driven By Came to Be

• Sam started his podcast during the pandemic. He saw the difference between people who committed to their work and impact versus the people who weren’t.
• When the pandemic hit, Sam felt like it was the end of the world. However, there were still people who kept pushing through and working against the pandemic.
• He wanted to find out what drives these people. He wanted to know how he could be focused and driven like them.
• Check out the resources section for Sam’s recommended Driven By episodes.

[01:00:50] “It was essentially my own curiosity to understand why other people were driven in the ways that they were.” - Click Here To Tweet ThisEnjoy the Podcast?

Seek Go Create is for anyone seeking excellence, moving towards success, or creating something new. We share topics, stories, and conversations that allow us to rethink how we live, work, and lead. The journey goes on, but through kindness, grace, and a creative soul, it will be worth the walk!

If you were inspired and educated by this episode, feel free to subscribe to us on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify so that you never miss another episode. Also, share this episode or what you’ve learned today on your favorite social media platform.

Love to give us 5 stars? If you do, we’d love a review from you. By doing this, you can help us reach more people who want to redefine success in their lives.

Connect with the SeekGoCreate Network! For updates and more episodes, visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

To growing and becoming all we are created to be,

Tim

Mentioned in this episode:

Stop Reacting, Start Leading: Free 30-Minute Coaching Call

Are you leading with strategy or just reacting to the daily chaos? If you're feeling stuck, constantly putting out fires, and struggling to focus on the big picture, it’s time to take control. I’m offering a FREE 30-minute coaching call to help you shift from reactive to proactive leadership with clear, actionable strategies. Whether you’re facing new challenges or just need a reset, this call will give you clarity and direction. Book your free coaching call now by clicking the link in the show notes or visiting TimWinders.com/coaching.

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When people hear the word “pastor,” they often think of a middle-aged man with a beard. And when they hear the word “church,” they picture a building with stained glass windows and a steeple. But there is so much more to pastoral ministry and the church than just that. 

Redefining pastoral ministry, the church structure, and our beliefs about wealth and business sounds like a daunting task, doesn’t it? But it’s one that we need to tackle if we’re ever going to see genuine change in the church.

In this episode, Tim talks to Jon Sanders, the cofounder of EntrePastors. Jon has a vision of a healthier church structure that would allow pastors to thrive financially. He discusses our nebulous concepts of church, ministry, and wealth and how we could change the limiting narratives surrounding those to live a free and prosperous life.

Find out how we can move toward a healthier church structure and lean into the freedom God gave us so that we may follow our calling truthfully. Don’t miss this episode!

3 Reasons to Listen:

1. Learn about the flaws and limitations in the current church structure. 
2. Find out how to break free from these limiting structures and beliefs to become healthier Christian communities.
3. Discover the power of leaning into your freedom and serving God through entrepreneurship.

Resources

• Visit the Seek Go Create website for show notes, resources, and more!
• EntrePastors
• Letters to the Church by Francis Chan 
• Listen to more episodes and highlights on Seek Go Create or visit our YouTube for full-length episodes and short clips from each episode.

About Jon

Jon Sanders is a podcaster, speaker, and a coach. He is passionate about using his voice to motivate and inspire leaders in ministry and business through his platforms. He is the co-host of the EntrePastors Podcast, which serves pastors by helping them think, act, and thrive as prosperous entrepreneurs, and the Small Town Big Church Podcast.

He also serves as the Director of Coaching for the 95Network, an organization that specializes in serving small to midsize churches. Besides his passion for ministry and church leaders, he also works as a full-time firefighter for Sioux Falls Fire Rescue.

If you’d like to reach out to Jon, you can contact him on the EntrePastors website.

Episode Highlights[02:58] Who Is Jon Sanders?

• Jon has been in pastoral ministry for his entire life.
• He is a full-time firefighter and an entrepreneur with several businesses.
• He is also a husband, father, and grandfather.

[06:43] What EntrePastors Does

• The institutional church model is limiting and flawed.
• Entrepastors is a mashup of “entrepreneur” and “pastor.”
• It aims to get rid of the “starving pastor” narrative and urges them to enter the marketplace.
• Pastors can launch a business, thrive financially, and lead the church at the same time.

[09:45] “The model we call church is broken, and it’s time we fix it.” - Click Here To Tweet This[12:29] Going Out Into the World

• Christian societies have the tendency to build walls and turn their backs on the community.
• Rather than inviting people to come to us and conform to our culture, Christians are called to reach out to people.
• Go out and engage with the community.

[13:52] “I think it’s time that the church gets back to that going piece and learning again.” - Click Here To Tweet This[15:52] The Sacred vs. Secular Ideology

• Some people believe Jesus cares more about certain parts of life. Secular or “icky, worldly stuff” doesn’t fall under this category.
• People push themselves into a mold not meant for them because of this flawed dichotomy.
• Many think that full-time Christian ministry means becoming a pastor or a missionary.
• However, starting a business and glorifying God through the products you create and people you serve is also full-time ministry.

[18:10] Answering God’s Call

• If all we had was the New Testament to build and model our church after, would our churches look anything like they look today?
• Having a full-time pastor encourages the body of Christ to sit back and simply become consumers.
• It’s not a pastor’s job to do all the work of the church.
• Depending on just one stream of income could also hold pastors back in their ministry.

[18:27] “Your calling can look like a lot of different things in different seasons of life.” - Click Here To Tweet This[25:36] Challenges in the Church

• The first challenge is the financial struggle for pastors.
• The second challenge is how most churches are structured after human forms of government.
• Bringing human politics into the church inhibits a pastor’s leadership.
• It takes an act of congress to rewrite bylaws and enforce healthier leadership structures.

[29:33] Breaking Free from the Scarcity Gospel

• The idea that the more broke you are, the closer you are to God is false.
• There’s no shame in making good money. People who earn well could do good things in the world.
• The scarcity gospel is a man-made idea.

[31:07] “When good people make good money, they can do good things in the world.” - Click Here To Tweet This[34:27] Creating a Healthy Church Structure

• If God calls on you to become a pastor, He is calling you to lead.
• While leaders must be free to lead, pastors need a small leadership team to support them, help with the vision, and advise them.
• Pastors don’t need permission to launch a business.
• There are unsaved people in the marketplace that Christians need to reach.

[40:42] A Change in Mindset

• While Jon loved the church and ministry, he also saw his parents’ financial struggles. To him, it looked like they were poor because they were pastors.
• After a financial skid in their church, he began to question God and suffered from mental struggles. He came to the conclusion that God quit blessing his church.
• Jon realized he needed to step into something more profitable.
• That experience rocked his faith in the system and how success looks in a church.

[50:33] A Crisis of Faith

• Jon is an emotional eater.
• He did not handle his struggles perfectly, but he got through with God’s grace.
• It takes humility and courage to face the flaws in the current structure and change it.
• We need the church and Christian communities around us, so we should not abandon them completely. Instead, we should move toward a healthier church structure.

[53:03] A Pastor’s Roadmap to Financial Freedom

• “A Pastor’s Roadmap to Financial Freedom” is a four module course with coaching built around it. It’s centered on MAPS: Mindset, Assessment, Pathways, and Strategy.
• Mindset is about changing their thought process on wealth, business, and calling.
• Assessment involves assessing how God has uniquely shaped and wired people to serve Him and other people.
• Pathways explores the different paths pastors can take.
• After deciding the course of your business, you will build your Strategy.

[56:42] Hindrances to a Healthier Structure

• Pastors are overworked so they might think they have no time to launch a business.
• Other pastors might think that they cannot afford EntrePastor’s mastermind, but the goal is to get them to a place where that’s not a limitation anymore.

[01:01:52] Lean Into Your Freedom

• Pastors have more freedom than they are led to believe.
• Lean into that freedom and know that you can move in different directions.
• What if God doesn’t want your church to look like every cookie cutter church? What if He’s calling on your church to do something unique in your community?
• We were created to create.

[01:02:21] “If you’re a pastor, I want you to lean into that freedom and understand you can move in a lot of directions, and God’s not disappointed in you.” - Click Here To Tweet ThisEnjoy the Podcast?

Seek Go Create is for anyone seeking excellence, moving towards success, or creating something new. We share topics, stories, and conversations that allow us to rethink how we live, work, and lead.

If you were inspired and educated by this episode, feel free to subscribe to us on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify so that you never miss another episode. Also, share this episode or what you’ve learned today on your favorite social media platform.

Love to give us 5 stars? If you do, we’d love a review from you. By doing this, you can help us reach more people who want to redefine success in their lives.

Connect with the SeekGoCreate Network! For updates and more episodes, visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

To growing and becoming all we are created to be,

Tim

Communication is like a double-edged sword. Our words and actions hold great power, but people can also misinterpret them easily. Likewise, communication can be challenging for many of us. Nonetheless, the ability to communicate well is an essential component of our obligation as leaders. And if we wish to lead as Jesus led, we must also learn how He communicated.

In this episode, Tim shares three big things we can learn from the way Jesus communicated. He delves into the foundational principles of communication and explains why Jesus is the best example of a good communicator. He then shares some powerful tips, techniques, and philosophies that can help us emulate the way of communication that Jesus modeled for us.

Listen to this episode if you want to learn how to become better at communicating!

3 Reasons to Listen:

1. Understand what it means to communicate well.
2. Discover the three big categories you can learn from how Jesus communicated.
3. Learn the different languages Jesus used to communicate with His audiences.

Resources

• Coach: A Story of Success Redefined by Tim Winders
• Listen to more episodes and highlights on Seek Go Create or visit our YouTube for full-length episodes and short clips from each episode.

Episode Highlights[01:08] The Challenge of Communicating

• Many of us deal with the great challenge of communicating well.
• Communicating well means having the ability to listen and share our thoughts and ideas.
• We need to be better at communicating regardless of our roles.
• We need to look for powerful examples of good communicators.

[04:30] The Best Example of Good Communication

• The best example lies within the Gospels, which show how Jesus walked on Earth.
• Jesus modeled good communication for us. When He ascended to heaven, He left the Holy Spirit to guide us.
• Even non-followers of Christ would acknowledge the impact of Jesus’s words and actions on our culture and society.

[05:33] “Even if you are not a follower of Christ... there is no one that really compares to what Jesus Christ did, and so we can at least try to learn from him.” - Click Here To Tweet This[05:53] The Three Big Categories of How Jesus Communicated

• Over time, Tim has identified trends and categorizations from reading and studying about Jesus.
• Even if we can’t do exactly as He did, we can still learn a lot from studying Him.
• These three big categories are the attitude Jesus had, the audience He identified with, and authority.

[07:26] #1: Attitude in Interactions

• Jesus adopted an attitude of love and compassion even when He was speaking harshly or strongly.
• Love involves a lot of empathy and compassion, but it’s also correcting people when needed.
• Love is focused and intentional.
• It’s powerful to get on people’s level when we interact with them.
• We need to communicate with love and compassion, but we also need to be direct and to the point.

[09:43] “Love is actually being very intentional and very focused.” - Click Here To Tweet This[10:40] #2: Jesus and His Audiences

• First, He interacted with the sheep as a shepherd whose role was to lead and guide.
• Second, He interacted with the wolves — the Pharisees and hypocrites — and protected the sheep against them.
• In modern times, there are still a lot of wolves in religion and politics.
• The third group Jesus interacted with was His disciples. His role was to teach, educate, and encourage — to duplicate himself.

[12:58] What We Can Learn from Jesus and How He Communicates

• With the sheep: Tim used Jesus’s encounter with the woman at the well as an example. The world needs more of the “woman at the well” language, filled with love and compassion.
• With the wolves: Jesus used stories and parables founded on truth in a very firm tone.
• Many leaders often confuse the “woman at the well” language and wolf language. You can see people in power use wolf language with the sheep, sometimes to take advantage of them.
• With His disciples: Jesus used soft and gentle language similar to the woman at the well. There were also times when He had to be firm with them.
• The biggest learning point from Jesus’s interactions with His disciples is to spend a lot of time with the people you’re teaching.

[17:14] "One of the best things we can learn about communication . . . is it takes time. We've got to be patient." - Click Here To Tweet This[18:17] #3: Authority

• Many people in leadership roles have said the line, “Just do as I say.” Jesus, the only one who has this kind of power and authority, never did this.
• Jesus only did and said what the Heavenly Father God told Him to do and say.
• Titles don’t matter.

[20:09] “Titles don't really matter so we need to stop throwing our titles around.” - Click Here To Tweet This

• Rarely should we respond quickly. Take the time to pause, reflect, and take a breath to seek what God wants us to do.
• There’s power in stillness and quiet. It will allow us to understand our authority so that we can become better communicators.

[22:21] “I believe there's power in that stillness and quiet. It just allows us to not respond harshly, to not respond using our own ‘authority’ that we have.” - Click Here To Tweet ThisEnjoy the Podcast?

Seek Go Create is for anyone seeking excellence, moving towards success, or creating something new. We share topics, stories, and conversations that allow us to rethink how we live, work, and lead.

If you were inspired and educated by this episode, feel free to subscribe to us on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify so that you never miss another episode. Also, share this episode or what you’ve learned today on your favorite social media platform.

Love to give us 5 stars? If you do, we'd love a review from you. By leaving a review, you can help us reach more people and inspire them to become good communicators.

Connect with the SeekGoCreate Network! For updates and more episodes, visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

To growing and becoming all we are created to be,

Tim

Mentioned in this episode:

Stop Reacting, Start Leading: Free 30-Minute Coaching Call

Are you leading with strategy or just reacting to the daily chaos? If you're feeling stuck, constantly putting out fires, and struggling to focus on the big picture, it’s time to take control. I’m offering a FREE 30-minute coaching call to help you shift from reactive to proactive leadership with clear, actionable strategies. Whether you’re facing new challenges or just need a reset, this call will give you clarity and direction. Book your free coaching call now by clicking the link in the show notes or visiting TimWinders.com/coaching.

Book Coaching Call