The Intersection Podcast

She didn't want it to be true. For 20 years, Katherine Alsdorf — Silicon 
Valley CEO, three-time tech executive, UVA MBA — ran as far from God as 
she could. Then she surrendered. One month later, she was asked to run a 
company as a brand-new Christian.

What followed was a decade of wrestling with one question: What difference 
does it actually make if I'm a Christian at work?

That question eventually became the Center for Faith and Work at Redeemer 
Presbyterian Church in New York City — and a book she co-wrote with Tim 
Keller that has now reached over 500,000 readers in 17 languages.

In this conversation with Bob Varney, Katherine shares:
→ Her 20-year journey away from — and back to — faith
→ Why her conversion felt like truth, not joy (and why that's more common than we think)
→ What it looked like to lead companies as a follower of Christ
→ How she built a groundbreaking faith & work ministry from a blank sheet of paper
→ Why the Gospel changes not just your soul — but your work, your city, and the world
→ What she wishes every pastor understood about workplace discipleship

Whether you're a business leader, pastor, or someone who has ever felt the gap between Sunday faith and Monday work — this conversation is for you.

Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller & Katherine Alsdorf:
https://www.amazon.com/Every-Good-Endeavor-Connecting-Work/dp/1594632820

Learn more about Cities Project Global:
https://citiesprojectglobal.com

Article: https://citiesprojectglobal.com/articles/she-walked-away-from-god-for-20-years-then-she-co-wrote-one-of-the-most-influential-faith-work-books-in-history/

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CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction — Katherine's background
2:17 Growing up in the church & walking away at 17
6:30 Why she came back to faith — and what it cost her
9:10 "Flooded with truth, not joy" — an honest conversion story
11:37 Becoming a CEO one month after surrendering to faith
13:00 What difference does it make to be a Christian at work?
16:30 The dot-com collapse & wrestling with God
18:00 Building the Center for Faith and Work at Redeemer
22:00 The R&D lab: Gospel change is always innovative
24:04 Every Good Endeavor — and why they wrote it
30:00 Calling: we're broken people invited into God's work
42:00 What churches are missing about workplace discipleship
47:00 What Katherine is doing today

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The Intersection: Faith, Work and Life is hosted by Bob Varney and 
Hugh Brandt. We're committed to helping people see that discipleship means 
living by faith in God in all areas of life — all the time.

#FaithAndWork #EveryGoodEndeavor #KatherineAlsdorf #TimKeller 
#ChristianLeadership #Calling #WorkAndFaith #CitiesProjectGlobal 
#BobVarney #TheIntersectionPodcast

Keywords

Sunday-Monday gap, dualism, avoda, shalom, orchestra metaphor, work as worship, cultural mandate, common grace, collaboration, individual contribution

Summary

This conversation explores the concept of the Sunday-Monday gap, a phenomenon where individuals feel a disconnect between their spiritual lives and their work lives. The speakers discuss how this gap is rooted in a dualistic worldview influenced by Greek philosophy, which separates the sacred from the secular. They introduce the Hebrew concepts of 'avoda' (work as worship) and 'shalom' (wholeness), emphasizing that all work can be meaningful and contribute to the greater good. The metaphor of an orchestra is used to illustrate the importance of each individual's unique role in the workplace, encouraging listeners to embrace their contributions, no matter how small. Real-world examples demonstrate how individuals can transform their work environments by focusing on excellence and service, ultimately fostering collaboration and common grace among diverse colleagues. The conversation concludes with a reminder that every contribution matters and that finding balance in work and rest is essential for a harmonious life.

Takeaways

The Sunday-Monday gap reflects a deeper worldview issue.
Greek dualism has influenced our perception of work and spirituality.
Avoda means work, worship, and service are interconnected.
Shalom represents wholeness and restoration in our work.
We are all part of a divine orchestra with unique roles.
Success is about playing your part well, not seeking the spotlight.
Even small contributions can have eternal significance.
Common grace allows collaboration across different worldviews.
Transforming work environments requires a focus on excellence and service.
Finding balance in work and rest is crucial for harmony.

Titles

Bridging the Sunday-Monday Gap
Revisiting Greek Dualism in Modern Work

 sound bites

"It's a fundamental philosophical error."
"The physical labor itself is the worship."
"Your leaf matters."

Chapters

00:00 The Sunday-Monday Gap: A Fragmented Existence
02:58 The Dualistic Worldview: Greek Philosophy's Impact
06:00 Avoda and Shalom: Redefining Work and Worship
08:54 The Orchestra Metaphor: Finding Your Unique Role
12:01 Leaf by Niggle: The Value of Small Contributions
14:58 Real-World Applications: Transforming Workplaces
18:04 The Role of Common Grace in Collaboration
21:05 Embracing Your Instrument: The Importance of Individual Contribution

Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders: Dr. Sanders' Impact From the Air Force to Denver's At-Risk Youth

Welcome to the Intersection Faith Work and Life podcast, hosted by Bob Varney and Hugh Brandt. In this episode, we delve into the life and mission of Dr. Joe SA Sanders, a leader in Denver, Colorado, who joined Colorado Uplift in 2017. With a decorated background as a retired Air Force colonel and a PhD in Leadership and Human Resource Development from Calder State University, Joe is pivotal in character leadership and youth development. Over an inspiring interview, Joe shares his spiritual journey, the profound transformation of his father through faith, and his pivotal role at Colorado Uplift. We explore Joe’s latest book, 'Unreasonable Responsibility, eradicating the Disease of Entitlement,' and gain insights into how he actively shapes future generations by addressing societal issues and fostering a culture of responsibility. Subscribe now to hear more discipleship stories and be inspired by Joe's remarkable journey towards making a lasting impact on the community. Don't forget to leave a review and share this episode with others!

00:00 Introduction to Discipleship in Daily Life
00:44 Meet Dr. Joe SA Sanders: A Leader in Character Development
03:11 Joe's Spiritual Journey: From Childhood to Adulthood
07:09 Serving the Lord: Family and Community Leadership
08:53 Highlights from Teaching at the US Air Force Academy
13:23 A Leap of Faith: Transition to Colorado Uplift
22:02 Colorado Uplift: Mission and Impact
26:35 High School Students Teaching Elementary Students
27:02 The Impact of Peer Mentoring
27:21 A Story of Accountability
28:21 Introducing the Book: Unreasonable Responsibility
29:01 The Rise of Entitlement in Society
30:40 Responsibility as a Remedy
32:52 Mental Health and Responsibility
35:06 Entitlement's Impact on Society
36:06 The Role of Responsibility in Education
38:10 Unreasonable Responsibility in Christianity
49:41 Encouragement for Leaders
50:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Join hosts Bob Varney and Hugh Brandt on The Intersection Faith Work and Life Podcast as they interview Scott Fast, Innovate Educates Director of Colorado Projects. Scott shares his journey from his IT career at Accenture to leading initiatives that bridge business, education, and nonprofit sectors to help low-income earners rise to the middle class. Discover how the Colorado Clapham Circle emerged, empowering families on their journey from poverty to self-sufficiency through collaborative, faith-driven efforts. Scott emphasizes the role of continuous prayer, collaboration, and authentic faith in overcoming obstacles and achieving transformative change. Don't miss this compelling episode to hear how faith intersects with work and community development to create lasting impact.