In this episode, Mike Thakur sits down with entrepreneur and coach JT Tapias to unpack one of the most common and damaging misconceptions Christian entrepreneurs face: the idea that serving God means walking away from business.

JT shares his remarkable journey—from growing up around organized crime, achieving success at a young age, and selling a thriving business because he believed God wanted him in “real ministry.” What followed was a season of confusion, loss, and ultimately deep clarity about how God actually works through business.

This conversation speaks directly to faith-driven entrepreneurs wrestling with ambition, obedience, calling, and burnout—and why business is often not a distraction from God’s purpose, but the very place He intends to use you most.

If you’ve ever questioned whether your work matters to God, this episode will bring both conviction and freedom.

In This Episode:

• The biggest lie Christian entrepreneurs believe about ministry
• Why quitting business for “full-time ministry” is often a mistake
• JT’s decision to sell his business for $25K and what it taught him
• How business can be a powerful mission field
• Why burnout happens when work loses its sense of mission
• How to serve God faithfully without leaving the marketplace

Connect with JT Tapias:

Instagram: @coachjt.tapias

Program: Empty Your Bucket Nutrition Plan Website: https://eybplan.com

Connect with Mike Thakur:

Instagram: @realmikethakur

Website: https://mikethakur.com

In today’s episode, Mike sits down with author and unity-builder Philip Ryle for a powerful conversation about what’s missing in the modern church—and what God is inviting us back into.

Philip shares the heart behind his book Dear Unity, a collection of love letters calling believers, pastors, and entire denominations toward something deeper than agreement: authentic, sacrificial, relational unity.

Together, Mike and Philip unpack the “70/30 Rule”—the idea that Christians have agreed on 70% of the faith for nearly 1,700 years… and maybe the remaining 30% is where God teaches us to love each other unconditionally.

This isn’t just about denominations. It’s about you and me. Unity in our homes, workplaces, friendships, and churches—and why it matters more now than ever.

If you’ve ever felt the tension between loving people and disagreeing with them, this episode will resonate deeply.

💬 In This Episode We Cover:

• Why God may have designed us to be incomplete without one another
• How unity unlocks strategy, blessing, and spiritual multiplication
• The danger of rushing toward “agreement” instead of building relationship
• Why other global movements are winning at unity—and what Christians can learn
• The role of humility, curiosity, and repentance in healing the Body of Christ
• How to move the Church from deliberation to celebration
• The connection between the Trinity and the way humans are wired for community
• Why unity is the red carpet to global evangelization
• How everyday believers—not just leaders—can spark a unity movement

🔥 Why This Episode Matters

We’re living in a world uniting around the wrong things while the Church remains divided over things that were never meant to define us.

This conversation invites us to rethink what unity truly is—and how God might be calling us into something bigger, braver, and more beautiful.

📚 Connect with Philip

Website: dearunity.com

Instagram: @dearunity

Email: [email protected]

🤝 Connect with Mike

Instagram: @realmikethakur

Website: mikethakur.com

🎧 If You Enjoyed This Episode…

• Share it with someone who cares about the future of the Church
• Leave a rating or review to help the message reach more leaders
• Follow the show for more conversations at the intersection of faith, leadership, and life

Entrepreneurship can be one of the loneliest callings—especially when your business is built on faith. In this powerful conversation, Mike Thakur sits down with Dan Romer, pastor, coach, and founder of Goshenites, to talk about what it really looks like to follow God when no one else understands your calling.

They dive deep into: 💡 Why so many Kingdom entrepreneurs feel isolated 🌱 How to sow into relationships and find genuine community 🔥 What it means to encourage yourself in the Lord when things get hard 💼 The balance between ministry and marketplace calling ❤️ And how God uses loneliness to refine, realign, and remind us that He’s still with us

If you’ve ever felt unseen in your purpose, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone—and that isolation might just be the place where your faith grows deepest.

Connect with Dan Romer: 👉 goshenites.com 👉 Instagram: @dan_romer

Connect with Mike: 🎥 @MikeThakur 💡 WorkLodge.com

Janice Armstrong’s story is a masterclass in hope, obedience, and supernatural acceleration. After a decade battling illness, fear, and comparison, Janice wrote the vision, fought through spiritual warfare, and experienced deliverance—then watched God do in 90 days what others took years to build: explosive growth on social media and doors to minister to millions. In this raw conversation, she shares the exact moments that shifted everything, why “write the vision” is more than a verse, and how partnering with the Holy Spirit can rewire your mind and your life.

🔑 What You’ll Learn

• Writing God’s vision vs. chasing your own (Habakkuk 2)
• Deliverance from fear and the breakthrough that followed
• “90 Days vs. 10 Years”: what acceleration looked like in real life
• Neuroplasticity + spiritual authority: practical tools to renew your mind
• Why social media is today’s “town square” for the gospel
• How to bless those who curse you—and actually get free

📲 Connect

Host: Mike Thakur — Instagram: @mikethakur

Guest: Janice Armstrong — Instagram: @IAmJaniceArmstrong

If you’ve been waiting on a promise, this episode will remind you: it’s not too late—and God’s timeline is different than yours.

What happens when you build a business with mission before money? In this episode, Mike sits down with Scott Gates, co-founder and CEO of Awake Window & Door, to share how he grew a luxury window and door company from $0 to $30 million in sales—by hiring men and women that most businesses wouldn’t even consider: the formerly incarcerated.

Scott reveals how God laid a mission on his heart, why he walked away from corporate success to start over, and the incredible impact of second-chance employment. From the struggles of leaving a comfortable CEO role, to the risks of starting a business built around ex-convicts, to the joy of watching lives redeemed through work and dignity—this story is proof that entrepreneurship can be one of the most powerful tools for Kingdom impact.

If you’ve ever wondered how faith and business can collide to change lives, this episode will challenge you to rethink what success really means.

🔑 Key Topics

Why Scott left a thriving corporate career to start over from scratch

How a $30M business was built by giving second chances

The connection between foster care, prison, and broken systems

Why soup kitchens and handouts aren’t enough—and why sustainable work is the answer

How mission-driven businesses attract the best talent

Why the marketplace—not just the church—is the greatest place for ministry

📲 Connect with Mike Thakur

Instagram: @realmikethakur

Website: MikeThakur.com

📲 Connect with Scott Gates

Website: awakewdc.com

Instagram: @awakewdc

In this powerful conversation, Mike sits down with Tyler Radbourne to unpack the urgent wake-up call facing the modern church. From the fallout of 2020 to the rising chaos in culture, Tyler shares why he believes we’re living in a “Super Bowl moment” of faith — a time where the stakes are higher than ever.

Together, they explore hard questions: Would Jesus even recognize today’s churches? Why are so many Christians “faking it till they break”? And what role does authentic community play in restoring faith that actually changes lives?

FRANKLIN, TN FOLKS: Join my Kingdom business meet up! MikeThakur.com/KIX

🔑 Key Topics

Why 2020 marked a spiritual shift we can’t ignore

The difference between organized religion vs. authentic relationships

What it looks like to build real discipleship beyond Sunday services

The power of fasting, prayer, and intentional friendships

Why Christian entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to lead change

How business and faith intersect in today’s divided culture

📲 Connect with Us

Mike Thakur Instagram: @mikethakur

Website: MikeThakur.com

Tyler Radbourne Instagram: @tylerradbourne

Website: developeden.com

Why do 98% of people believe they’re “bad at prayer”?

In this powerful episode of The Mike Thakur Podcast, Mike sits down with author and leader Addison Bevere (Words with God) to unpack one of the most misunderstood parts of faith: prayer.

Most of us think prayer is about the “right words” or a rigid routine — but Addison reveals a deeper truth: prayer is constant conversation, connection, and even rest. From the science of your brainwaves in the morning to the spiritual practices that unlock intimacy with God, this episode will challenge how you view prayer forever.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or simply someone who’s felt like you “don’t pray enough,” you’ll discover:

• Why almost everyone feels inadequate at prayer — and why that’s a lie
• The secret power of mornings and what happens in your brain while you sleep
• How prayer is more about posture and presence than performance
• Why obedience and faith can’t be separated — and what that means for decision-making
• Practical steps to invite God into your everyday life and leadership

Addison also shares personal stories, insights from Words with God, and a fresh framework for what it means to “pray without ceasing.”

If prayer has ever felt confusing, boring, or overwhelming — this conversation will help you rediscover it as the life-giving dialogue it was always meant to be.

🔗 Resources & Links

From Addison Bevere:

• 📖 Words with God → Check it out here
• 🌐 Learn more at RediscoverPrayer.com
• ✨ Messenger International → MessengerX.com

From Mike Thakur:

• 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: The Mike Thakur Podcast
• 🎙️ Follow Mike on Instagram: @realmikethakur
• 💼 Join Mike's Franklin Meet-Up! mikethakur.com/kix
• 📚 Check out Mike’s book MikeDrop: MikeDropBook.com

👍 Like this episode?

If you enjoyed this conversation, please:

• Share it with a friend
• Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe so you never miss an episode

*** Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Charlie's family, both at Turning Point USA and at home, where Erika and their children are navigating a new reality after the events of last week. ***

In this special episode of The Mike Thakur Podcast, Mike steps away from business as usual to reflect on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it means for Christians, culture, and the future of our faith.

The loss of Charlie Kirk has left many people feeling a deep heaviness—something more than grief, something deeper, something spiritual. Mike unpacks why this moment matters and how it calls us back to the basics of faith: standing for truth, living with courage, and bringing light into the darkness.

Together we wrestle with:

✅ Why so many feel shaken by Charlie’s death and what’s happening in the spiritual realm

✅ The difference between compromise and conviction in today’s culture

✅ Why “gray” Christianity can’t overcome darkness

✅ How Scripture gives us black-and-white clarity in a world of confusion

✅ The call to live as serious, intentional disciples of Jesus

✅ Fundamental truths we must reclaim—marriage, family, life, and God’s design

This isn't only about remembering Charlie—it’s about heeding the wake-up call for believers everywhere. Now's the time to decide: will we be lukewarm, or will we be bold in our faith?

📖 Key Scriptures: John 1, 1 John 1:5, Revelation, Matthew 25

📌 Watch More Podcast Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@mikethakurpodcast/videos

🌍 Stay Connected with Mike

🔔 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@mikethakur
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmikethakur/
📘 Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/realmikethakur/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikethakur
🌐 Website: https://mikethakur.com/

✨ Keywords Covered: Charlie Kirk assassination, faith in America, courage and faith, light vs darkness, Christian leadership, standing for truth, biblical worldview, The Mike Thakur Podcast, purpose and faith, compromise vs conviction, end times signs

✍️ Let’s Talk:
How has this moment impacted your faith? Do you feel the urgency to stand for truth in today’s culture? Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇

#TheMikeThakurPodcast #CharlieKirk #FaithAndCourage #StandForTruth #LightVsDarkness #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalWorldview #KingdomFirst

In this episode of The Mike Thakur Podcast, Mike sits down with Chelsey Tansey to explore what it means to find purpose in a profit-driven world.Chelsey’s story is raw, real, and deeply relatable. After experiencing the highs of hustle culture—40K months, 14-hour workdays, and the constant chase for more—she hit a breaking point.

Burned out and unfulfilled, she prayed a bold prayer: “God, if this doesn’t bring me closer to You, take it away.”

That prayer radically shifted her life, her business, and her faith.

Together, Mike and Chelsey dive into:

✅ Why hustle culture leaves us empty—even when we “win”

✅ The danger of treating profit as the ultimate measure of success

✅ How to align business practices with Kingdom values

✅ The difference between false humility and true obedience

✅ Why servant leadership is the biblical blueprint for impact

✅ How to balance purpose, profit, and faith in daily life

Chelsey shares how she rebuilt her business from the ground up with Jesus at the center—and how true fulfillment comes not from scaling bigger, but from abiding deeper.

This episode is for entrepreneurs, leaders, and believers wrestling with the tension between Kingdom first and profit second.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I building God’s purpose or just chasing numbers?”—this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

👉 Connect with Chelsey Tansey: https://chelseatansey.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseatansey/

📌 Watch More from The Mike Thakur Podcast

🎙️ Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/@mikethakurpodcast/videos

🌍 Stay Connected with Mike Thakur🔔 Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/@mikethakur

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmikethakur/

📘 Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/realmikethakur/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikethakur

🌐 Website: https://mikethakur.com/

✨ Keywords Covered: purpose vs profit, Chelsey Tansey, hustle culture, faith and entrepreneurship, Christian leadership, servant leadership, Kingdom business, entrepreneurship podcast, values-driven business, finding purpose, The Mike Thakur Podcast

✍️ Let’s Talk:

What’s been your biggest struggle in balancing purpose and profit?

Share your story in the comments 👇#TheMikeThakurPodcast #ChelseyTansey #PurposeOverProfit #FaithAndBusiness

#ChristianLeadership #KingdomEntrepreneurship #HustleCulture #ServantLeadership

In this powerful episode of 'The Mike Thakur Podcast', Mike sits down with John Felkins, longtime EntreLeadership Executive Coach, to talk about what it really takes to scale a business without selling out your integrity.

For decades, entrepreneurs have been told that growth at all costs is the ultimate goal.

“Say yes now, figure it out later. Fake it till you make it.”

But what if the shortcuts we take for growth actually cost us the very values that matter most?

John has spent years walking alongside leaders at Ramsey Solutions and coaching business owners across industries, and he’s seen firsthand the tension between scaling big and staying true.

Together, Mike and John dive deep into:

✅ The difference between sacrifice and compromise in leadership

✅ Why integrity under pressure defines your true capacity

✅ The hidden dangers of treating people as “units of production”

✅ How humility is the defining trait of world-class leaders

✅ Why success must be defined by values, not just revenue

✅ The Momentum Theorem: focus × intensity × time × God = unstoppable momentum

John also shares personal lessons from his own leadership journey, including times when compromise looked easy but choosing integrity built character, resilience, and impact.

This isn’t just another business conversation — it’s a raw and honest look at faith, entrepreneurship, values, and leadership.

If you’ve ever felt the pull to take shortcuts, wrestled with defining true success, or wondered how to grow without losing yourself, this episode is a must-watch.

📌 Watch More from The Mike Thakur Podcast

🎙️ Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/@themikethakurpodcast/videos

🔥 Leadership & Entrepreneurship:

https://youtu.be/-e8Rt-bKHXE?si=zR5U\_g3H9heu6Ri3

💡 Faith & Business Conversations:

https://youtu.be/4-j6hAt0W-I?si=GcOIwl0Z-62vU-yL

🌍 Stay Connected with Mike Thakur

🔔 Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/@mikethakur

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmikethakur

📘 Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/realmikethakur

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikethakur

🌐 Website: [https://mikethakur.com

✨ Keywords Covered: scaling without selling out, integrity in leadership, faith and business, John Felkins, EntreLeadership podcast, values-driven entrepreneurship, humility in leadership, Momentum Theorem, leadership under pressure, Mike Thakur Podcast.

✍️ Let’s Talk:

Have you ever faced the choice between quick growth and staying true to your values?

How did you navigate it?

Share your story in the comments 👇

#TheMikeThakurPodcast #JohnFelkins #ScalingWithIntegrity #EntreLeadership #FaithAndBusiness #LeadershipPodcast #IntegrityInLeadership #MomentumTheorem #ValuesDrivenBusiness #EntrepreneurshipJourney