What does it truly mean to flourish—and why does Scripture present flourishing as God's original design, not a modern ambition?

In this opening episode of Called to Flourish, Robert Wachter, Global Marketing Director, sits down with Jay Bransford, President & CEO of Best Christian Workplaces, to explore God's heart for human flourishing. Drawing from Genesis and the words of Jesus, Jay reflects on how true flourishing flows not from striving, but from abiding in Christ—and how leadership is ultimately a shepherding calling shaped by humility, integrity, and trust in God's work.

You'll gain biblical insight on: • God's original design for flourishing • Why flourishing begins with abiding in Christ • How grace—not self-effort—leads to lasting fruit • What faithful leadership looks like in God's economy

👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Find full show notes and listening links at workplaces.org/podcast

A new chapter is beginning at Best Christian Workplaces.

In early January, we're launching the Called to Flourish Podcast—a new conversation space designed to equip Christian leaders to build healthy, Christ-centered workplace cultures across churches, ministries, nonprofits, and faith-driven businesses.

In this short teaser, host Robert Wachter shares why we're launching Called to Flourish, what leaders can expect, and how this podcast will inspire and equip you to create a workplace where people and mission flourish.

What you can expect from Called to Flourish:

• Insightful conversations with seasoned Christian leaders

• Research-backed guidance grounded in our FLOURISH model

• Practical tools to strengthen trust, engagement, and leadership

• Real stories of transformation from workplaces around the world

If you're committed to cultivating a thriving, Christ-centered culture, this podcast will encourage, challenge, and equip you for the journey.

👉 Subscribe today so you don't miss the first episode in January!

Join us for this encore episode with Ruth Haley Barton, founder of the Transforming Center, as she explores the critical question every leader must face: 'How is it with your soul?' Discover why leaders who neglect their inner spiritual life risk losing themselves, and how cultivating spiritual disciplines can transform both your leadership and your organization's culture.

Find full show notes here: https://workplaces.org/podcast/458-how-is-it-with-your-soul-strengthening-leadership-from-the-inside-out

Share the love. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate it on Apple Podcasts and write a brief review. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-flourishing-culture-podcast/id1060724960?mt=2 By doing so, you will help spread our podcast to more listeners, and thereby help more Christian workplaces learn to build flourishing cultures.

| Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on X https://twitter.com/allopus | Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allopus/ | Email our host at [email protected]

What if the way we give and receive feedback could unlock healthier relationships and stronger workplace cultures? In this conversation, Sheila Heen—Harvard Law School lecturer, co-author of Thanks for the Feedback, and expert on negotiation and communication—shares powerful insights into why feedback is so hard and how leaders can navigate it with wisdom and grace.

Find full show notes here: https://workplaces.org/podcast/457-moving-through-the-tunnel-a-harvard-experts-guide-to-difficult-conversations

Share the love. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate it on Apple Podcasts and write a brief review. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-flourishing-culture-podcast/id1060724960?mt=2 By doing so, you will help spread our podcast to more listeners, and thereby help more Christian workplaces learn to build flourishing cultures.

| Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on X https://twitter.com/allopus | Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allopus/ | Email our host at [email protected]

Inspirational leadership has the power to shape culture, energize teams, and move an organization toward its mission with renewed passion. In this episode, RightNow Media president Brian Mosley shares how his multigenerational ministry story and commitment to using media for God's purposes offer fresh insights for building a flourishing workplace.

Find full show notes here: https://workplaces.org/podcast/456-how-to-move-your-team-from-63-to-81-engaged-in-12-months

Share the love. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate it on Apple Podcasts and write a brief review. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-flourishing-culture-podcast/id1060724960?mt=2 By doing so, you will help spread our podcast to more listeners, and thereby help more Christian workplaces learn to build flourishing cultures.

| Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on X https://twitter.com/allopus | Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allopus/ | Email our host at [email protected]

Join Mark Maxwell, President of Prairie College, as he shares the inspiring story of how a struggling campus culture was transformed into a thriving, engaged community. In this conversation with Al Lopus, Mark reveals practical leadership lessons on building trust, valuing employees, and multiplying impact in Christian higher education.

Find full show notes here: https://workplaces.org/podcast/455-from-crisis-to-culture-change-how-prairie-college-reversed-a-downward-spiral

Share the love. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate it on Apple Podcasts and write a brief review. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-flourishing-culture-podcast/id1060724960?mt=2 By doing so, you will help spread our podcast to more listeners, and thereby help more Christian workplaces learn to build flourishing cultures.

| Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on X https://twitter.com/allopus | Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allopus/ | Email our host at [email protected]

How does a culture of prayer, intentional strategy, and Christ-centered care transform not just an organization—but the lives of vulnerable children? In this encore episode, Kevin Enders, former president of 4KIDS, shares how sustainable strategy and a flourishing workplace culture came together to bring hope, homes, and healing to families across Florida.

Find full show notes here: https://workplaces.org/podcast/454-how-sustainable-strategy-unlocked-a-thriving-workplace-culture-at-4kids

Share the love. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate it on Apple Podcasts and write a brief review. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-flourishing-culture-podcast/id1060724960?mt=2 By doing so, you will help spread our podcast to more listeners, and thereby help more Christian workplaces learn to build flourishing cultures.

| Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on X https://twitter.com/allopus | Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allopus/ | Email our host at [email protected]

In this special encore episode, two trusted voices from Best Christian Workplaces, Giselle Jenkins and Cary Humphries, reflect on standout moments from the podcast series focused on the FLOURISH Model. They revisit powerful stories and practical strategies that continue to equip leaders in building healthier, more effective workplace cultures.

Find full show notes here: https://workplaces.org/podcast/453-stories-of-culture-transformation-from-courage-to-flourishing

Share the love. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate it on Apple Podcasts and write a brief review. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-flourishing-culture-podcast/id1060724960?mt=2 By doing so, you will help spread our podcast to more listeners, and thereby help more Christian workplaces learn to build flourishing cultures.

| Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on X https://twitter.com/allopus | Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allopus/ | Email our host at [email protected]

What happens when a president leads with intentional communication and a heart for spiritual impact? In this encore episode, Troy Meachum, President of ACR Supply Company, shares how trust, stewardship, and a people-first approach have shaped a flourishing workplace culture.

Find full show notes here: https://workplaces.org/podcast/452-how-one-companys-culture-transformation-drove-engagement-and-revenue

Share the love. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate it on Apple Podcasts and write a brief review. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-flourishing-culture-podcast/id1060724960?mt=2 By doing so, you will help spread our podcast to more listeners, and thereby help more Christian workplaces learn to build flourishing cultures.

| Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on X https://twitter.com/allopus | Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allopus/ | Email our host at [email protected]

Compensation is one of the most tangible ways organizations demonstrate value and care for their people. In this encore episode, we revisit a conversation with Susan Griffith Byers, Founder of Church Compensation Services, to explore how fair, strategic pay practices can strengthen culture and support a flourishing workplace.

Find full show notes: https://workplaces.org/podcast/451-3-keys-to-developing-a-rewarding-compensation-program

Share the love. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate it on Apple Podcasts and write a brief review. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-flourishing-culture-podcast/id1060724960?mt=2 By doing so, you will help spread our podcast to more listeners, and thereby help more Christian workplaces learn to build flourishing cultures.

| Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on X https://twitter.com/allopus | Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allopus/ | Email our host at [email protected]