The Faith at Work Podcast

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Skeptical customers, tight payroll weeks, corporate contracts, and a trade that never really turns off. That is the real-world backdrop for our conversation with Cody and Elizabeth Hamm, a husband and wife team building an HVAC and refrigeration company with a clear commitment: do it right, do it honestly, and keep God at the center.

We talk about why faith in the HVAC industry can feel like it has “gone by the wayside,” and how integrity and workmanship rebuild trust when people expect to be sold on something. Cody and Elizabeth share what changed when they stopped trying to force every opportunity and started praying over customers, appointments, and even invoices. The stories are specific and practical: doors opening weeks after a pivot, learning to accept that not every job is for them, and choosing boldness even when it could cost future work.

If you care about faith at work, marketplace ministry, Christian business leadership, and practical spiritual habits on the job, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend in the trades, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

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If prayer has ever felt awkward, scripted, or like something other people are naturally better at, you are not alone. “How do I pray to God?” gets searched constantly, and we get why. We dig into the real fears behind the question: saying the wrong thing, not having the right words, wondering if God is listening, and feeling like you need to get your life cleaned up before you can talk to Him.

We share what helps us when distraction, anxiety, and busy life make it hard to focus, and we lean on Scripture like Romans 8:26 to remind us that the Holy Spirit helps when we do not know what to pray. We also unpack misconceptions that quietly shut people down, like believing some topics are off-limits, your problems are too small, or God gets annoyed when you come back with the same request again.

Then we bring on Craig Cockrum, an oilfield leader whose life changed radically, and now his crews ask him to pray right there on the rig. His story is a powerful picture of faith in the marketplace: bold without being pushy, honest about weakness, and consistent enough that other people start wanting access to what God is doing.

We wrap with different types of Christian prayer, from thanksgiving to lament, plus tools like the Lord’s Prayer and the ACTS framework, without turning them into legalistic formulas. The bottom line we keep coming back to is simple: just pray, and let God refine your heart as you go. If this helps you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the conversation.

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Hope is not a Hallmark feeling. It’s a verb, and it puts weight somewhere. We kick off Season 3 of the Faith at Work Podcast by redefining hope as “confident expectation” and asking a simple but confronting question: what is the impact of placing that expectation in God instead of in ourselves, our plans, or our ability to control the outcome?

We talk candidly about why trusting God can feel terrifying when your history trained you to believe that if you don’t hold it together, no one will. We also name the flip side: after years of watching God’s faithfulness, hope can feel like pressure coming off your chest. Along the way, we wrestle with the moments that make people doubt God’s goodness, including delayed answers, grief, and the confusion that comes when what we want doesn’t align with what God chooses.

To keep it grounded, we dig into practical “rebuild trust” tools: looking back at where God has been faithful, asking Him directly where He was in painful seasons, and letting community carry you when you’re running on fumes. We anchor the conversation in Scripture that speaks to real life and real work, including Proverbs 23:18, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Proverbs 16:9, and Psalm 23, plus why studying God’s character in the Old Testament can strengthen your faith today. There’s also plenty of laughter, because hope and joy can coexist with hard things.

If you’re trying to build biblical hope in the middle of workplace anxiety, leadership pressure, or a season that isn’t changing fast enough, press play. Subscribe, share with a friend, leave a review, and send us your questions or stories at [email protected].

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Welcome to Season 3 of the Faith at Work podcast! 

Hosted by Ashley Smalley - founder and CEO of Smalley Consulting, Christ follower, and former HR professional and church staff member - this season is all about hope. Joined by friends Karleigh, Meredith, Alissa, and a host of special guests, we dive into real conversations about faith, work, and life. 

This season we're tackling relationships, courage, strongholds, work/life balance, and even a look at heaven - where our hope and faith will eventually be made sight. Expect serious topics with plenty of laughter, games, and storytelling along the way. 

Whether you're a Christ follower, a Christ seeker, or just need a pick-me-up, you're in the right place. Season 3 kicks off September 14th - find us wherever you get your podcasts!

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In this bonus episode, host Ashley Smalley sits down with Preston Poore — Fortune 500 executive, Maxwell-certified leadership coach, and Selah Award-winning author — for a rich conversation about what it really looks like to live out your faith in the workplace.

Preston shares his journey from a performance-driven, results-at-all-costs leader at companies like Coca-Cola and Hershey to discovering what it means to lead with integrity, character, and genuine care for people. From a botched community event that sparked a pivotal mentorship moment, to a blunt "you're a jerk" wake-up call, to two rounds of 360-degree performance reviews — Preston's story is honest, relatable, and deeply encouraging.

Together, Ashley and Preston discuss:

• Bridging the sacred/secular divide at work
• The concept of Imago Dei and how seeing others as made in God's image transforms leadership
• Earning the right to share your faith and pray with coworkers
• What it means to be a redemptive influence in your workplace
• How sanctification and adversity shape character — and why it's worth it
• Differences in living out faith in large corporations vs. small businesses, urban vs. Southern contexts

Whether you're in corporate America, a small business, or somewhere in between, this episode will challenge and equip you to bring your whole self — faith included — into your work.

Resources mentioned:

• How Is Greater Than What by Preston Poore
• The Discipled Leader by Preston Poore
• prestonpoore.com

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In this special bonus episode of The Faith at Work Podcast, host Ashley Smalley sits down with the remarkable Zahara McCoy — CEO of Children of Grace, a Christian nonprofit serving vulnerable children in Uganda.

Born in a small Ugandan village and orphaned at age nine after losing both parents to HIV/AIDS, Zahara faced child marriage negotiations before a miraculous act of compassion from a California woman named Maryanne McCoy changed the entire trajectory of her life. Sponsored for education, eventually adopted, and brought to the United States at age 12, Zahara's journey is a living testament to God's faithfulness and sovereign design.

In this conversation, Zahara shares:

• What it was like growing up in rural Uganda amid poverty and the AIDS epidemic
• The extraordinary way God used a stranger's generosity to open the door to a new life
• Her return to Uganda at 16 — and the moment that broke her heart and birthed her calling
• How she went from wanting to leave her past behind to leading Children of Grace
• What it looks like to raise a family and run a nonprofit while staying deeply rooted in Christ
• Her vision for the children of Uganda — and the legacy of faith she hopes to leave

Whether you're a parent, a leader, or simply someone who needs to be reminded that no life is beyond the reach of hope, this episode will move you, challenge you, and call you into action.

Learn more about Children of Grace at childrenofgrace.com.

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In this first-ever bonus episode, the team reflects on a milestone-packed 2025 — from celebrating one year of Kingdom in Action lunches, to launching Brand Synthesis, to welcoming (and lovingly saying goodbye to) team member Alyssa Morgan. But the biggest news? After 8.5 years on staff at First Baptist Church, Ashley stepped away on December 31st to go full-time at Smalley Consulting. Ashley opens up about the bittersweet journey of obedience, what it looks like to follow the Lord into the unknown, and the excitement of what's ahead for the company, their community, and the Kingdom. If you're in a season of transition or waiting on God to make a move, this one is for you.

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In this episode of the Faith at Work podcast, hosts Ashley, Karleigh, and Meredith explore the journey of faith surrounding Meredith's pregnancy. They discuss the challenges of waiting on God's timing, the importance of community support, and the impact of faith on personal growth. Through light-hearted banter and deep reflections, they share their experiences of hearing from God, facing doubts, and the significance of obedience in their spiritual journeys.

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In this episode of the Faith at Work podcast, the hosts engage in a lively discussion about the differences between adopting Christ's lifestyle and the world's approach to life. They explore themes of mercy, humility, and compassion as exemplified by Jesus, and emphasize the importance of forgiveness and conflict resolution in a Christ-like manner. The conversation also touches on the significance of mentorship and the Great Commission, encouraging listeners to live out their faith authentically and to embrace the challenges of the road less traveled.

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In this episode of the Faith at Work podcast, hosts Ashley Smalley and Meredith Holmes discuss the complexities of parenting under God's authority. They explore the divine design for family dynamics, the importance of modeling faith and character for children, and the necessity of setting boundaries while seeking God's guidance. The conversation emphasizes the significance of teaching children to rely on God, recognize His answers, and maintain an authentic relationship with Him. Additionally, they address the challenges of balancing ministry and family life, highlighting the need for intentionality in nurturing both spiritual and familial connections. 

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