“Perceptions are so important in leadership,” Dr. Rude says, “It doesn’t matter how encouraging or forward thinking you might be if your followers do not perceive you as such.”

Dr. Cheryl Rude is a professor of Leadership Studies and Academic Director of Leadership at Southwestern College in Winfield, KS. She earned her Ph.D. at Union Institute & University of Cincinnati, Ohio in Leadership Education and has an M.Ed. in Counseling and School Psychology from Wichita State University. She also earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Kansas. Before entering the higher education world, she served as a youth minister. She’s a grandma, mom, and wife while she and her husband also run a bed and breakfast called The Barns At Timber Creek.

From working with middle school to college students, her goal has always been to help students flourish as they lead in their own lives.

“There are no exact leadership traits.” She says, “People have capacities and they can learn behaviors instead of focusing on traits. It’s not about traits. The two most important behaviors that leaders can learn are to be effective and ethical.”

If you want to assure your sustainability as a leader and an educator, you are going to love the tips and strategies that Cheryl shares in this nourishing episode.  She speaks from a place of great courage and wisdom: we pray that your own self-awareness will be greatly enhanced by her words.

The Listening Chair is an outlet of the Institute for Discipleship (IFD).

This episode is sponsored by the Summit Youth Academy - a week for high school juniors and seniors to explore their faith, learn Wesleyan theology, and connect with other youth.

“All of my fishing and hunting stories are true”, Marlin says right off the bat in this episode before sharing some of the most hilariously unbelievable tales from his time in nature.

Dr. Marlin Priddy is in his 29th year as an Agriculture teacher. He received his bachelor and master degrees from Tarleton State University, and his doctorate from Texas Tech and Texas A&M. He teaches at Ben Barber Innovation Academy in Mansfield, Texas, where the courses he teaches includes Wildlife Fisheries, Principles of Ag: Food and Natural Resources, Ag Mechanics, and Principles of Construction. His passions include shorthorn cattle, making smores, playing 42 and going to Coldplay concerts. He has the privilege of fathering three kids including host, Miranda.

Our conversation with him sheds light on the different worlds of rural and urban school teachers, his moments of childhood that led him to serving as an Ag Teacher, and the steps he takes to remain grounded in in his identity as a beloved child of God.

The Listening Chair is an outlet of the Institute for Discipleship (IFD).

This episode is sponsored by the Summit Youth Academy - a week for high school juniors and seniors to explore their faith, learn Wesleyan theology, and connect with other youth.

Joel Wilke puts the “happy” in “happy camper” as the Camp Director at Camp Horizon, in Arkansas City, Kansas (a position he’s held since July of 2010).  He’s a jack-of-all-trades, a dad, husband, and a comedian to boot. He enjoys painting, disc golf, playing guitar and building healthy teams of counselors.

What sets Joel apart from the crowd is that he doesn’t believe that God called him to be a camp director. In fact, he shares how he does not believe God cares about what specific job one takes as long as he/she is serving others with his/her gifts. Joel shares a list of other careers he feels he could’ve found just as much joy in.

He says, “Being a camp director was never my dream job, but years later as I applied, it immediately felt like a dream job.”

His unique stance on vocation and his jokes make this an episode that is most definitely worth a listen. You'll also want to hear him get on his "soapbox" about creativity, how parenting has helped him appreciate laughter, and the family's love of a local ant hill.  

Connect with Joel and his ministry at the Camp Horizon and Retreat Center.

The Listening Chair is an outlet of the Institute for Discipleship (IFD).This episode is sponsored by the Summit Youth Academy - a week for high school juniors and seniors to explore their faith, learn Wesleyan theology, and connect with other youth.

From Taco Bell to Panda Express, numerous companies have benefited from the artistic gifts of graphic designer, Rafael (Ralph) Polendo over the past nineteen years. And a few years back he began using his skills to help authors by enhancing their book designs and branding. He and his wife, Teighlor, now own Quoir Publishing Company, and to them every piece of the book is part of the artistic experience and must be pleasing to the eye.

With every author they sign on and every conversation they host on their podcasts (they are releasing a second one soon), Quoir’s goal is to model respectful dialogue between those from different schools of theological thought.

Along with the under-girding motive of their company, he tells an enduring story from his childhood that foreshadowed his artistic career, and the origin story of his ever-popular, ever-enlightening podcast, The Heretic Happy Hour. Ralph also shares of the unhealthiest assumption about Christian authors that he works to correct.

He shares that, “An assumption about the Christian marketplace that I would like to correct is that not all Christian authors are cheesy or inauthentic. I would love for folks to understand that Christian authors wrestle with the realities of life as well and desire to challenge the reader.”

Connect with Ralph and Teighlor at Quoir Publishing.

Connect with Ralph as a graphic designer here.

Join the Heretic Happy Hour podcast community where there are burning questions, not people, and enjoy the tunes of Barrett Johnson (creator of the Heretic Happy Hour theme song) here.

The Listening Chair is an outlet of the Institute for Discipleship (IFD).

This episode is sponsored by the Timothy Circle.

Chandra Snively is a witty organista, who has the energy of an efficient hummingbird.

She's a wife,a mom, a friend, a painter, a wood burner, and pays the bills through her serve as a mortician. 

Upon meeting her, one quickly notices that Chandra's got jokes, and even though this interview creates space for darker topics, her jokes accompany her bravery. 

In this episode, she shares on grieving the loss her twins, the medical diagnosis that led her back to church, the power of ministering to atheist families through a funeral home.

How does one gather her grit through such a life? According to Chandra, it takes lots of prayer, lots of study, and valuing mentoring relationships.

Like many of us, there were foreshadowing moments in her childhood that beautifully pointed to her career as an adult. Her vocational calling is to care for the bodies of the deceased and their families as they grieve, and the story she shares is a testament to God's holy bread crumbs.  Don't worry, it's nothing like the show "Dexter" :P! Just like Chandra, it's enduring and witty.

The Listening Chair is an outlet of the Institute for Discipleship (IFD).This episode is sponsored by the Summit Youth Academy - a week for high school juniors and seniors to explore their faith, learn Wesleyan theology, and connect with other youth.

Keith Giles is a former pastor who abandoned the pulpit to follow Jesus, and ended up founding a church where 100% of the offering is given away to help the poor in his surrounding community.

He lives in Boise, Idaho with his wife and two sons. He is the author of Jesus Untangled:Crucifying Our politics to Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb, and Jesus Unbound: Liberating the Word of God from the Bible. He’s also one of the hosts of the hilariously thought-provoking podcast, the Heretic Happy Hour.

In this episode, Keith shares how he made a deal with God as a 1st grader to become a pastor if God saved his parent’s marriage, the unhealthy assumptions some make about gifts/talents, and of how after years of serving in a church his biggest spiritual epiphany was that he had misunderstood the gospel.

Keith would like to offer you a gift of his [FREE] eBook, "This Is My Body:Ekklesia As God Intended" but FYI, he’s in the process of republishing this book with a new title, new expanded content [about 50 extra pages] and a new Foreword by Neil Cole.

The new revised/updated version will be called "Jesus Unveiled: Forsaking Church As We Know It To Reclaim Community As God Intended".

To get your hands on this book and other great content by Keith, connect with him at www.KeithGiles.com , or on Facebook and Twitter .

Also, join the hilariously thought-provoking conversation with Jamal, Matt, and him on their podcast,The Heretic Happy Hour.

The Listening Chair is an outlet of the Institute for Discipleship (IFD).

This episode is sponsored by the Timothy Circle.

“It’s really exciting, those times of the unknown when you are fully open and trusting God  [toward your vocation]. It’s a place of deep trust. It’s scary, but exciting.”

 

After 12+ years of assisting others in discovering their vocational calling in campus ministry, Rev. Ashlee Alley Crawford now does similar work as the Clergy Recruitment and Development Coordinator for the Great Plains Annual United Methodist Conference.

 

She’s a high energy-planner who enjoys running, reading, and making time to pray in her beloved turquoise chair.

 

This episode kicks off with a hilarious story of her ten year high school reunion and the responses she got as she shared that she was a pastor, then Miranda asks why these ridiculous reactions that are sadly all too common for those who serve in ministry.

 

Ashlee goes on to encourage us that while we may struggle in moments of discernment, we will recognize God’s voice when we hear it. Like the sheep in John 10:27 who hear and recognize the voice of the Shepherd, so shall we.

 

She challenges us not to fear moments of doubt and questioning, for those are simply guiding us as our vocational callings evolve. Ashlee lets us in on the dark moments in her story that let us know we’re not alone in questioning God.

 

Exploring this idea of vocational calling is as area that Ashlee loves, nay-- has mastered, and she writes about it in her, 5 Cups of Coffee.

 

Want more Ashlee?  (We know we sure do!) You can check out her blog.

 

The Listening Chair is an outlet of the Institute for Discipleship (IFD).This episode is sponsored by the Summit Youth Academy - a week for high school juniors and seniors to explore their faith, learn Wesleyan theology, and connect with other youth.

Miranda Here!

Our podcast has been on the air now for three months and we have stepped on some truly holy ground as folks have shared on the divine nudges that led them to serving others with their talents.

 

As weeks go by, we realize that we have more left to learn about this medium--this artform--that we love so deeply. We were thankful that our friend (and Episode 4 guest), Aj Amyx connected us with a podcast guru named Chris Cerrone for an conference call to help us learn all of the stuff.

 

On this conference call Chris pointed out that we don’t have to interview the BIG names, the people that are used to having their names in lights. Keeping it personal and honest is the way to truly connect. Podcasts are meant to be informal, vulnerable, raw and a lil’ messy.  

 

After the call, I took Chris’ advice, and suggested that we interview each other over a time when we lost our faith. Though Meg was hesitant, I persisted. And with some cake and hot beverages, we scheduled these interviews!

 

Last year I went through the biggest breakdown of my personhood when I went through a divorce.  All of who I was and who I thought I would be was questioned. But as Meg encouraged - “Sometimes in sharing our hardest of stories, we help  one another find healing.”

 

I still feel like God is healing me and the parts of my life that I label as broken.

 

I share on the timeline of grief, or more of my desire for a timeline. You’ll hear about the community that I leaned on, and the scripture that I grasped on to and haven’t let go of since.

 

You’ll also get to hear the story of the commencement address that I HATED at the time, but turned out to be some of the best encouragement I’ve received.

 

God’s imagination and storytelling is better than our own.

 

And to steal a benediction from Meg, “May this episode encourage and empower you, and may you be thankful that it’s just an audio file so you don’t see me ugly cry.”

The Listening Chair is an outlet of the Institute for Discipleship (IFD).

This episode is sponsored by the Timothy Circle.

Meg here!

Our podcast has been on the air now for three months and we have stepped on some truly holy ground as folks have shared on the divine nudges that led them to serving others with their talents.

 

As weeks go by, we realize that we have more left to learn about this medium--this artform--that we love so deeply. We were thankful that our friend (and Episode 4 guest), Aj Amyx connected us with a podcast guru named Chris Cerrone for an conference call to help us learn all of the stuff.

 

On this conference call Chris pointed out that I was mistaken in my goal to interview like Oprah or Larry King, because podcasts are not overly-produced, formal shows. Podcasts are meant to be informal, vulnerable, raw and a lil’ messy.  

 

After the call, Miranda boldly took Chris’ advice, and suggested that we interview each other over a time when we lost our faith.

 

I thought the idea was dumb.

 

And I use the word ‘dumb’ here to immaturity mask my true feelings, which were fear and discomfort. I disagreed with the idea, because I was uncomfortable with getting that real and weak. (Ain’t nobody got time for that!?)

 

But no matter how much I whined, Miranda stood her ground, convinced me that my ugly crying would not be seen through earbuds, and these “Rocking Chair Episodes: When Our Faith Was Rocked” are the fruit of her being right. Sometimes in sharing our hardest of stories, we help  one another find healing.

 

In my episode I share on my funky chromosomes and my issue of  infertility.

 

In this time of heartache, I wondered why would God put a desire in my heart for something I could not have?

 

I share on the different weight the words “therapeutic termination” carry when it’s about your body, and your baby and how it’s hard to hear the doctor and genetic counselor tell you it’s best while others in your social circle disagree.

 

All in all, I share my realization of just how courageous the Holy Spirit can empower us to be during frightening moments, and my belief that most us (myself included) are stronger than we’ll ever know. 

 

May this episode encourage and empower you, and may you be thankful that it’s just an audio file so you don’t see me ugly cry. And remember that God can bring forth light regardless of any darkness.

 

The Listening Chair is an outlet of the Institute for Discipleship (IFD).

This episode is sponsored by the Timothy Circle.

Meg & Miranda have two heretics take a seat in the Listening Chair this week. Matt & Jamal co-host the Heretic Happy Hour with Keith Giles, but this week they are our guests - We're the ones asking the burning questions.

Exploring topics from taboo language to divorce to vocational calling, neither Matt or Jamal shy away from giving honest and occasionally hysterical answers. Jamal talks about how to "align with the why" of a persons life on earth while Matt talks about how God will put you where you belong without need for sticking to a perfectly bullet-pointed plan.

We know you're wondering, "Meg and Miranda, did you guys talk about suffering?" Yes, listener. We went there.

Matt speaks from past life experience on how listening to "actual people who are suffering" will change the way that we perceive others and God's nature. 

We hope you enjoy this longer than usual episode and check out the Heretic Happy Hour!

Matthew J. Distefano is the author of "Heretic!" and 3 other books. His blog, All Set Free, can be found on the Progressive Christian channel on Patheos. He is also a co-host of the Heretic Happy Hour podcast and lives in Chico, Ca with his wife and daughter.

Jamal Jivanjee is a graduate of Liberty University where he studied religion. Originally from the Columbus, Ohio area, Jamal now travels on a regular basis. Jamal is passionate about the church and relationships—especially as they relate to community—and enjoys encouraging others toward that end through writing, speaking, and coaching. Get your hands on his book , “Free to Love” now and his his upcoming book, “Living for a Living” will be released soon.

The Listening Chair is an outlet of the Institute for Discipleship (IFD).

This episode is sponsored by the Summit Youth Academy - a week for high school juniors and seniors to explore their faith, learn Wesleyan theology, and connect with other youth.