In this episode of the River Foundation Podcast, we learn how a catalytic moment in 1996 shaped a young marriage, inspiring hope in marriages and churches across the country through the ministry of Brad Rhoads and Grace Ministry. Discover why going from "really bad" to "really stable" wasn't good enough, and how God stepped in to ignite a movement for healthy, God-honoring marriages!

Episode Highlights

[1:45] What got Brad's attention after his first year of marriage

[3:22] "She was more important than work, and I started treating her that way." How Brad's calendar reflected his priorities

[4:08] What it looks like when a church takes a proactive stance towards marriage

[5:10] How long does it take for a couple to return to "normal" after a marriage event? The answer will surprise you

[7:01] The "I" exam: listing everything you love about your spouse

[7:32] "30-40 percent of your day is spent speaking with your spouse." How the half-day quarterly coaching days help you and your spouse make space for each other

[9:11] "We're not butlers married to maids." How much time married couples actually spend together every week.

[10:14] Take action: what you can do right now with everything Brad has shared

Episode Resources

Grace Marriage Website

On this 44th episode of the River Foundation Podcast, Howard Dayton and Dan continue their conversation on how Compass has been working to restore financial freedom and equip people all around the world to apply Biblical money management. Tune in to hear what motivates Howard to keep investing in people and the specific message he has for our family of companies!

Episode Highlights

[0:31] Our conversation with Howard Dayton arrives at the present day: Dan and Howard talk Compass, the River Foundation, and other highlights from the past 10 years

[0:58] What God showed Howard one day back in 1977, alone in his kitchen (and how that moment motivated him to invest in others' finances)

[2:55] "Living financially faithful": Howard breaks down the different programs Compass uses to educate on financial health (all tailored to specific age groups and seasons of life)

[5:27] Howard shares what's driving him to "finish well"

[6:51] "This study is changing the theology of the Russian church." Dan and Howard talk how God has taken and used Compass internationally

[8:22] What about those of us who just have $10 in our wallets? Howard shares why the financial principles found in God's Word match perfectly to the economics of the "entry-level" guy

[11:16] What Howard wants to say directly to our family of 300 listeners

Resources

Right Now Media

Compass

In this episode of the River Foundation Podcast, we're joined by a man God has used to teach millions (Dave Ramsey, to name one) on the subject of stewarding money: Howard Dayton. In Part 1 of his conversation with Dan, Howard shares how across the decades, the Bible has transformed his understanding of money and challenged him to help equip and hold others accountable to manage their resources in a way honorable to God.

[0:30] Dan "kidnaps" Howard Dayton (But no worries--he's excited to join us!)

[1:05] The story behind the story: Howard shares the two events that greatly impacted his father's life (and their conversations around the dinner table)

[1:56] "My sole objective in life was to make as much money as I could." The turning point in Howard's life when he met Christ (and the business partner that discipled him)

[2:38] "It wasn't a study book. It was the Bible." How typing up and cutting out thousands of Bible verses radically changed how Howard viewed and managed money

[5:16] The book God used to put the dream in Howard's heart to start Compass

[7:00] What happened when Compass came to Kentucky in 1990

[7:55] What Howard says makes the study successful

[8:22] "How can we help folks get their financial house in order for their benefit?" The passion that moved Howard, Jess, Doug, and Jimmy to the River Foundation

[10:47] Reaching over 50 million people! Howard takes us through how he's seen God work all around the world throughout the last 25 years

What might God do if we shared our lives and stories in Christ with someone around us?

In this episode of the River Foundation Podcast, Casey Willis shares his story of how he was called out of serving in college campus ministry to sell farm properties and timber to fundraise for ministries like the River Foundation. After listening, you'll leave with fresh eyes for the people you encounter every day and be challenged to share your own story with someone in your life.

Episode Highlights

[0:30] So, what fuels the River Foundation economically? Welcome to the studio Casey Willis, who turns timber and land deals into our economic resources

[1:05] The hard times in college that left Casey asking, "God, do I really know you?"

[2:40] "I went back and began to try to tell people about Jesus, and it was hilarious." What happened after Casey's faith renewal experience when he was challenged to serve through campus outreach

[3:40] "What I didn't recognize was that my wife was at home dying." The deep-rooted issues Casey and his wife finally had time to walk through after God called them out of campus ministry

[6:05] What happened when Casey promised God 100% of the profit he made through fundraising by selling real-estate properties

[8:16] Where does the timber fit in to all this? Casey's 15-minute conversation with Jess that took a turn for the unexpected (and made Casey "emotionally unstable")

[11:22] What Casey has learned about daily choosing between work and ministry

[12:58] The 2 big things Casey wants to say to our River Foundation listeners

It's no secret that the River Foundation loves supporting incredible mission trip opportunities, and today we get to hear specific stories from 3 individuals who visited Delhi, India.

Dan is joined by his bride of 28 years, Mary, to recount what they remember most after traveling the globe to visit Good Samaritan School and meeting their sponsored child. Krista Clements, Executive Director of Friends of the Good Samaritan, shares opportunities for how we, too, can be a part of transforming a child's life -- and find ourselves transformed as well through sponsorship.

Episode Highlights

[0:32] Dan welcomes his wife, Mary, and Krista Clements to the Wilmore studio to talk about Delhi

[1:15] "I'm a homebody. Really. I don't like to be gone on these long trips." What convinced and motivated Mary to go to Delhi this year

[2:23] "You realize quickly that everybody is in a gigantic hurry." The 3 things the group says you have to tackle as soon as you land in the Delhi airport

[3:47] From an apartment, to a slum, and finally to a school building: Mary shares her reaction to visiting the Good Samaritan School for the first time

[4:27] Krista tells us all about Ananthi, the school's founder, and her classroom of first-generation learners

[5:27] What made Mary feel like an "honored guest" visiting a school in one of the most impoverished communities

[6:37] "The love and joy of the school goes so much further than its four walls." Krista shares how the Good Samaritan School confers value onto both the children and their families

[7:54] A thousand kids racing, winning, and…losing? What Dan and Mary remember from watching a huge field day event

[10:14] Two hundred kids "packed like sardines" and happy to be so! What Krista says sets the Good Samaritan School apart in India

[12:15] What Mary would say to anyone considering visiting our partners in Delhi

[13:21] Krista gives us 2 ways to get involved with what's happening at the Good Samaritan School

What blessings is God withholding from you because you have not yet told him, "Yes!"?

In our 40th episode of the River Foundation Podcast, adoption and foster care advocates, Chris and Alicia Johnson, share how their "yes" to open their home to foster families both challenged and transformed their lives for the better. Whether you've felt a tug towards orphan care yourself or you know foster parenting isn't part of your calling, you'll finish this podcast empowered to pray and seek how the Lord is inviting you to live out James 1:27.

Episode Highlights

[0:35] A peek into Kentucky's capitol: Dan video chats with Chris and Alicia Johnson from their office in Frankfort

[1:11] "Orphan care wasn't really on our radar." What happened when God interrupted Chris and Alicia's American dream

[1:55] "None of the kids matched. What's up with this family?" The one adopted family that led the Johnsons' church family to ask, "How can we help?"

[2:51] So will you preach this or live this? What happened when God's call to care for orphans and widows became personal for Chris and Alicia

[4:44] Ten years of foster parenting later, what Alicia says is the important piece of foster care that we often leave out

[6:59] "Raising kids is not what God has called the State to do." Why Chris believes foster children are the church's responsibility

[8:21] The trauma behind the family photo: how foster families need supportive, engaged church communities to wrap around them

[9:18] Alicia shares how her church family has provided for and invested in her throughout their foster care journey

[10:39] Has your heart been pricked? Chris and Alicia "let loose" on our first next steps towards responding to care for orphans and foster families

[14:26] Dan closes by thanking Chris and Alicia for their "yes" to participate in what God is doing to minister to families in our communities

Episode Resources

Cabinet website: Kyfaces.ky.gov

Uniting Kentucky: Weareky.org

Chris and Alicia on When a Need Meets a Calling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMwfy26NcQY&t=13s

From free throws to forklifts to bank bookkeeping, Tommy Roberts didn't become the CEO of First Southern National Bank because he went out looking for it. But now looking back at 30 years with First Southern, Tommy calls it "an answer to prayer" to be part of a company that has such a heart for the Kingdom.

Join us this episode of the River Foundation to hear how God's used the River Foundation in the life of our bank CEO and Tommy's encouraging message for our family of companies.

[0:30] Welcome to the office of our bank's CEO, Tommy Roberts

[1:15] A basketball hall-of-famer? Well, from high school, that is. Tommy updates us on where he ranks as one of the highest scoring players of all time

[1:49] "I loved numbers, I loved spreadsheets, but I also knew I loved people." How Tommy jumped from studying accounting to business at Berea

[2:31] How meeting Jimmy Rousey on the softball field led to Tommy interviewing him in a driveway playing basketball

[4:49] From 21 to 51: Tommy reflects on the generosity he's witnessed throughout 30 years with First Southern

[7:48] So what does the CEO of a bank actually do? What Tommy is calling the most important part of his job

[9:10] "Everywhere I went, I saw a face of someone who poured into me." What Tommy believes makes First Southern so special

[9:50] How God used River Foundation resources to help Tommy's wife, Renee, start a pregnancy center in Wayne County

[12:26] "That's what I'm going to remember most." What Tommy has to say both about and to our River Foundation family

Who else can be a good steward of your life but you?

Today's guest, Suzanne Short, shares how loving her job as a bank teller 15 years ago led her to become the Chief Operating Officer of First Southern today. But she's not here to brag about titles. Suzanne gets real about why it's important we take ownership of our lives and what she's learned about seeking out opportunities to glorify God in everyday life.

Episode Highlights

[0:32] It's 28 degrees in Stanford, but today's guest is bringing a warm message! Welcome Suzanne Short to the show

[1:28] "I was just excited to become a teller." Suzanne tells how she started out at First Southern in Lexington and "fell in love with the company"

[2:37] Banking in the DNA: Suzanne takes us back to 1998 when she first met First Southern as a high school student

[3:48] How "just wanting to be a good teller" led to Suzanne's opportunity to become the bank's COO

[6:10] Suzanne answers: What does a Chief Operating Officer actually do day to day?

[7:26] The "smack in the face" message that God spoke into Suzanne's heart about foster care and adoption

[9:51] "We're serving in busy worlds." What Suzanne says is so important about taking ownership of your personal growth and learning

[11:52] What resources aren't you taking advantage of? What Suzanne tells people who make the excuse, "Well, nobody told me how to do it."

[12:57] How Suzanne practices good stewardship, initiative, and mistake-making in her everyday life

Episode Resources

Devotional by Suzanne Short [video]

Snapchat. Instagram. Vaping. Gender Identity. Teenagers today are having to deal with things today that can leave parents and grandparents scared, frustrated, and lost. In this episode of the River Foundation, David Eaton, President and Co-Founder of Axis, shares a message of hope to encourage parents, and drive intentional conversations with their teenagers. Listen in to find out more!

Episode Highlights

0:54 How Dan and David connected

2:06 "Culture Translators." How Axis helps parents communicate with their teenagers

2:35 What "Netflix and chill" really means

3:08 How a mission trip to Mexico led David to own his faith

4:20 Expert interviews, white-papers, and more: How Axis resources and equips parents

6:28 The danger of becoming calloused and disconnected from your teenager, and what you can do to prevent it

8:15 Concerned about Fortnite? Head over to www.Axis.org for a free parent's guide (and more)

8:33 "Parents are the missionary." How Axis comes alongside parents

10:04 The Parenting Teen Summit: A two-week-long on-line summit

11:55 How you, as a team member can amplify your impact everyday

12:51 The 4 resources (Trends, Topics, Teachers, and Themes) that are being made available to you

Resources

www.Axis.Org

Parenting Teen Summit (ParentingRelationships.com)

Have you found where your passion and your purpose meet?

In this episode of the River Foundation Podcast, Dan is joined by Alex Keltner, President of First Southern National Bank, who shares how God used First Southern to give him a new purpose and mission through banking. A voracious reader and music lover, Alex also gives us his top recommendations of the resources that have helped mold and challenge him along the way. You won't want to miss it!

Episode Highlights

[0:33] A warm welcome from Wilmore! Dan sits down with the President of First Southern National Bank, Alex Keltner

[1:13] From rolling coins to overseeing 15 banks: Alex shares the high points of what got him to his current position

[2:09] "The focus was on growing the Kingdom through business, and honestly, I didn't believe that." Alex tells us his first impressions of First Southern's mission

[3:48] From making dollars to funding Kingdom work: the new purpose and reward Alex has found in his work

[5:07] Finding clarity at a Journey of Generosity retreat and launching a local pregnancy center: Alex shares the pockets of opportunity he's been gifted through the River Foundation

[8:40] "I realized if I was gonna grow as a person, I needed to read more." Alex gives us his top nonfiction recommendations

[11:37] Alex's message and challenge to the River Foundation family

[13:03] Bonus material. Dan asks Alex to shares what's on his current music radar

Episode Resources

Find Your Why by Simon Sinek (on YouTube)

Far-Sighted by Steven Johnson

Joyful by Ingrid Lee

John Maxwell

Patrick Lencioni

John Gordon

The Energy Bus

Blink Malcolm Gladwell

Jason Isbell at the Rymen

Sam Morrow

JJ Grey

War and Treaty