Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today Dan is joined for a second time by his friend of twenty years, Karen Ditto, as they discuss a big opportunity that she and the Colson Center are gearing up for. Karen is a prominent member of the Colson Fellows Program, which "equips people of strong faith with relevant skills, biblical knowledge, and a solid Christian worldview so you can navigate today's culture and play a significant role in helping to restore it in a way that is pleasing to God." In this episode, Karen shares her experience with discovering, joining, and growing with the Colson Fellows Program, and how you can do the same.

First Southern National Bank has been an integral part of Karen's life for many years, even before her mother persuaded her to meet Doug Ditto in the lobby of the Lancaster branch back in 1987. She and Doug now have three grown children, a farm, and lots of pets to occupy their time.

If you are interested in joining the Colson Fellows Program, apply by June 1st!

Episode Highlights:

[0:20] Dan introduces Karen and the new opportunity that the Colson Center will be offering this summer.

[1:02] Karen describes the religious and cultural influences that have shaped her Christian journey.

[5:40] "Outrage is not a strategy. Joining in God's work to restore our culture is." We hear how Karen's meeting with John and Sarah Stonestreet led to First Southern linking with the Colson Center.

[9:29] Dan and Karen delve into what the Colson Fellows Program is and how it promotes a "winsome attitude" toward spreading the word of Christ.

[10:09] "It's an opportunity to come alongside other believers." Karen describes what the Colson Fellows Program is offering to followers of Christ.

[12:34] Dan describes the financial aid that River Foundation is offering this year as well as the deadline to apply.

[13:52] Karen shares some encouraging words to close the episode.

Episode Resources:

Click here for more information on the Colson Fellows Program.

Click here to apply for the Colson Fellows Program.

Check out Karen's first interview about Guatelama.

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today Dan is joined by his good friend Joe Johnson, CPA, MBA, who not only works on the Accounting team at First Southern but has also quickly become a strong and confident leader of River Foundation's mission trips, all at the age of 25. Here, he shares how his Christian upbringing and sense of personal duty have driven him to achieve great things in the name of God both inside and outside of work, and how he strives to use his unique blend of skills and life experience to encourage others to do whatever they are called to do to the best of their abilities.

Episode Highlights:

[0:20] Dan introduces Joe and shares an overview of their experience on the recent Puerto Rico mission trip.

[1:04] Joe discusses how his upbringing as the child and grandchild of longtime educators in Lincoln County shaped his life.

[3:04] We learn how growing up in the Lincoln County community helped Joe and his family build their strong relationship with Christ and their church.

[6:24] Joe shares how he got involved in mission trips with the First Southern family and how his first River Foundation mission trip in college served as a catalyst for him to grow into adulthood.

[9:07] "It is the perfect first mission trip." We get a first-hand account of the Puerto Rico mission trip as Joe tells us the ins and outs of the experience.

[11:41] "I do a little bit for everybody." Joe gives us a rundown of the vast array of tasks he completes as an accountant for First Southern.

[13:40] Joe looks forward as he shares what he is excited for in his personal and professional life in the weeks, months, years to come.

[15:02] We hear Joe's advice and challenge to his fellow employees as Dan gives him the pulpit.

Episode Resources:

Click here to learn about and sign up for the Puerto Rico mission trip.

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! We continue our discussion today with Mary Nita Thompson as she and Dan unpack her professional journey spanning decades of banking experience. Mary Nita reflects on how the thread of "God's economy" has strengthened throughout her career no matter how the industry changed around her, and how working at First Southern in particular has served as a catalyst for deepening and expanding her faith. She also walks us through some of the day-to-day work she and her colleagues do in the bank's Operations branch, and how that work affects every other branch.

Episode Highlights:

[0:20] Dan provides an overview of Mary Nita's long and sprawling career in banking.

[1:18] Mary Nita reflects on entering the banking field straight out of a technical school where she learned "things that are not relevant anymore" and experiencing the world of banking evolve ever since.

[2:58] Adding machines, keypunch operators, one big computer – Mary Nita and Dan look back on the world they entered into when they started working.

[3:57] "In the early years of banking, that's when I learned how to handle finances God's way." Mary Nita details how her faith has intertwined and grown with her career every step of the way.

[4:58] "First of all, we've got to give back to God – give to God." We learn Mary Nita's personal theology of God and money.

[7:04] Mary Nita shares some of the ins and outs of working in Operations, and how she and her colleagues' work fits into the bigger picture of First Southern. "It's all the things that happen quietly that if they don't happen, people will notice."

[9:48] Dan and Mary Nita explain how and why they "Pray for Operations on Tuesdays,' as well as why the first of the month is always a big day.

[12:05] We close today with Mary Nita taking to the pulpit to give some well-earned advice from her decades in the banking industry.

Episode Resources:

Click here to learn about Healthy Families and fostering and adoption initiatives.

Click here to learn about and sign up for the Puerto Rico mission trip.

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today, Mary Nita Thompson, Dan's friend and colleague of 15 years, joins him on the podcast to discuss her personal life and professional journey. On this first of a two-part series, Mary Nita shares her life story, including growing up as the daughter of a charismatic and driven father, her and her husband's extensive work as foster parents, and her dedication to her local church. Join us for a warm conversation between two longtime friends and the members of the First Southern Family. Episode Highlights:

[0:20] Dan introduces his good friend Mary Nita.

[1:05] "I learned early in life that relationships matter a lot." Mary Nita discusses her father's long and winding professional life as a politician, jailer, farmer, sawmill manager, and restaurant owner; and how helping him shaped her outlook on work and life.

[4:33] Mary Nita tells us about her husband Jeff, the only farrier Dan knows.

[5:47] We learn about how Mary Nita and Jeff have been able to open their hearts and their home to over 60 foster children over the years.

[9:38] "It's all about, here again, relationships." Mary Nita discusses her and Jeff's passion for helping their church and why they take it upon themselves to share their faith through personal initiatives like home bible study every week and including her church on mission trips.

[12:10] "You and Jeff are overcomers, too." Mary Nita shares how she and Jeff have battled through cancer, injuries, and bodily struggles to keep the doors open to their passions. She ends this episode with a challenge to embrace opportunity and explore these mission trips.

Episode Resources:

Click here to learn about Healthy Families and fostering and adoption initiatives.

Click here to learn about and sign up for the Puerto Rico mission trip.

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today, we are joined by Robin Cooney, the Communications Specialist on the Marketing Team for the Family of Companies. She shares the story of her journey from an aspiring journalist to an important and enthusiastic First Southern team member.

Robin lives in Wilmore, KY, with her husband Drew. They enjoy hiking, camping, being outdoors, and playing card games.

Episode Highlights:

[0:20] Dan introduces us to Robin and sets the stage for her journey to working for the First Southern Family of Companies.

[1:07] Robin shares the story of how her dreams of being a "big-time journalist in New York City" led her to work in marketing for the Family of Companies.

[2:15] "God was humbling me, and just showing me what meant so much more." We learn about Robin's time at Asbury University and how she was shown a way that she had never considered before.

[4:33] Robin recounts how she worked for Go International, and how her time there opened the door to working with First Southern.

[7:30] "How do I be missional when I'm not traveling? How do I be missional when I'm not taking these exciting, great mission trips?" Robin discusses how she worked through her struggles to find fulfilling employment during the pandemic.

[9:10] On today, the one-year anniversary of Robin's first day working at First Southern, Robin reflects on some of the highlights of her professional and personal experience in the family so far.

[11:51] Robin closes the show by sharing advice on how new employees can become immersed in the community of First Southern.

Episode Resources:

Learn more about Go International: https://www.gointernational.org/

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today, we are joined by Deacon Larry Cranfill and Father Danny Taylor from Saint Mildred Catholic Church in Somerset. Deacon Larry is the former president of First Southern's bank in Somerset and a Deacon of 25 years, and he, along with his friend and co-worker Father Danny, help spread the work of finances God's way by leading Compass studies. In this enlightening discussion, the gentlemen discuss their respective careers in Catholicism and how they use their platforms to unite Protestant and Catholic views on faith-based finances through teaching Compass.

Episode Highlights:

[0:20] We are introduced to Deacon Larry and Father Danny and their mission to expand the gospel in the financial arena.

[1:38] "I served the six o'clock mass every day of my life." Deacon Larry shares his backstory and how he came to serve the Lord through First Southern for 25 years.

[4:52] "Teaching a spirituality of giving." Father Danny explains how his family's catholic culture led him to fall in love with Jesus and "the whole faith."

[8:21] We learn about the joy Deacon Larry gets from teaching Compass classes, as well as the challenges that he faced with bringing the Compass program from the Protestant Church to the Catholic Church.

[10:18] "Father Danny's got to have an identity here!" Father Danny speaks on what drew him to work with Deacon Larry and how he forged his own path.

[12:40] "Go where the spirit's moving and just join in." Deacon Larry shares how he is using his retirement to immerse himself in Compass studies.

[13:35] Deacon Larry and Father Danny close out this episode by telling us what they're hopeful for as we move forward in this new year.

Episode Resources:

Learn more about Compass Catholic: https://compasscatholic.org/

Learn more about Saint Mildred Catholic Church and get in touch with Deacon Larry and Father Danny: https://www.saintmildred.com/meet-the-staff

Check out the Vimeo channel for Sacramental Generosity

Faith and Money Matters (video)

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today, we speak with Dave Blanchard and Andy Crouch of Praxis Labs, an incredible "incubator, accelerator, and kingdom laboratory" based in the heart of New York City. Dave (Co-Founder and CEO) and Andy (Partner for Theology and Culture) share their motivations to help Praxis achieve its mission of fostering and supporting businesses and business people motivated by their faith to help positively impact the trajectory of society. They also speak on and how the River Foundation and First Southern Family of companies supports and often inspires their work.

Episode Highlights:

[0:20] We meet Dave and Andy! Andy gives us a quick rundown of his journey from ten years of campus ministry to partnering with Praxis.

[2:43] Dave shares how his upbringing as a pastor's kid and young entrepreneur led him to co-founding and running Praxis.

[4:50] "We really believe that how you start so often determines the trajectory of where you go." Dave discusses Praxis's unique perspective on faith in business and entrepreneurship, as well as how the First Southern family of companies intersects with their work.

[9:05] "A venture-building ecosystem with a redemptive imagination." Andy shares the long-term vision of Praxis and its team members and expands on how First Southern and The River Foundation inspire their work. "Not just choosing to be ethical, but choosing to be sacrificial."

[11:33] "What's my meaningful action today and what's my meaningful risk today?" Dave and Andy take to the pulpit to share words of advice straight from Praxis Labs and their personal experiences.

Episode Resources:

Learn more about Praxis Labs at www.praxislabs.org/

Learn more about Andy Crouch at https://www.praxislabs.org/praxis-team/andy-crouch

Learn more about Dave Blanchard at https://www.praxislabs.org/praxis-team/dave-blanchard

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today, we complete our two-part series on Compass - Finances God's Way by speaking with key members of the Compass Team and Compass Champions: Denise, Jamie, John-Brett, and Eve, as they share their experiences with Compass programs. We hear how Compass's most recent offering, Building Your Finances God's Way Study, has helped shape their relationship with their finances, with each other, and with Jesus. We also learn about some of the benefits of taking a Compass class in 2022 with many of the old programs reinvigorated and new programs introduced.

Episode Highlights:

[0:20] We meet the team as Dan introduces the Building Your Finances God's way program.

[1:52] "You can revisit it over and over again." Jamie shares how useful and practical the advice offered in the study continues to be for her, no matter how many times she's taken the courses.

[4:37] "I probably got just as much of a benefit from the actual content as I did hearing from the other team members." Eve describes how the flexibility and variety of each Compass course catered to her learning style.

[6:57] "Someone would have a different perspective or had a different experience and was able to share that openly." Denise appreciates the conversations she and her teammates had during the courses.

[10:21] "This one took it to a whole other level… I would do it again in a heartbeat." John-Brett looks back on the rewards he reaped for the hard work he put into completing the course.

[12:13] Dan closes the show with a peek at what's to come from Compass in 2022.

Episode Resources:

Click here to visit and fill out the Compass Study Interest Survey

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today, Brandon Sieben, CEO and President of Compass - Finances God's Way, joins us to kick off the year with a message of hope and encouragement as he describes some of the new and refreshed programs that Compass is offering. This is the first of a two-part episode about Compass. In the second, key members of the Compass team will describe their experiences with the program and how it has affected their lives inside and outside of work.

About Brandon: Brandon was raised in a committed Christian family and married his high school sweetheart, Deb. They have three daughters, Kay, Nina, and Georgia, and currently reside in Iowa City, Iowa. They have been applying what the Bible says about handling money throughout their entire marriage, and are actively involved in ministry in their local church and community.

After nearly three years in a mentoring relationship with Founder and Chairman Howard Dayton, Brandon joined Compass - Finances God's Way as its President and CEO in September 2019. Brandon is excited to serve Compass in pursuit of its global vision to see everyone, everywhere, faithfully living by God's financial principles in every area of their lives.

Episode Highlights:

[0:20] " A financial discipleship continuum." We meet Brandon and learn about his efforts to redirect Compass as he describes the program's new study, "Building Your Finances God's Way."

[5:16] Brandon offers his perspective on the message of God and money.

[12:24] "At the end of the day, it's not about the money. It's about helping people get closer to Christ." Brandon shares the intentions and strategies of Compass - Finances God's Way.

Episode Resources:

Click here to visit and fill out the Compass Study Interest Survey

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today, we speak with Suzanne Short, Gina Mead, and Jami Cervantes from Team Care as they share with us their initiatives in HR to help employees maintain a healthy work/life balance. They describe Team Care's efforts to provide support to employees and their families through counseling, financial advising, mission trips, adoption services, team prayers, Compass courses, and always being a phone call or email away for questions and input.

Episode Highlights:

[0:20] "I can just see that everybody cares for each other here." We meet Gina, Suzanne, and Jami as they tell us what attracted them to Team Care.

[6:28] "I get to be a part of something outside of me." The team shares what Team Care programs they are most excited about and appreciative of.

[12:31] "Everybody has a chance to receive and a chance to give." Gina, Suzanne, and Jami take to the pulpit to offer their advice and words of wisdom, as well as an appeal to those of you working on the front line.

Episode Resources:

For more info on mission trips and other programs, visit https://www.riverfoundation.net/ or email the River Foundation at [email protected].