Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! In today's episode, we are back with Pete Ochs for the second installment of our two-part series. Pete is a UTG Board Member and Faith-driven entrepreneur. His business experience spans four decades and includes the founding of the Enterprise Stewardship initiative, a transformative entrepreneurship program. In today's episode, we learn what it takes to be a successful faith-based business, how to determine how much is enough, and what young listeners must do today to ensure future career success.

Episode Highlights:

[0:40] "How much is enough?" Pete shares his faith-centered perspective on how to manage both personal and business finances.

[4:21] Learn the three things that Pete says we all need to flourish.

[6:40] "The world has a triple bottom line: people, profit and planet." We hear what's missing from that bottom line, and what UTG and First Southern do differently.

[7:29] "It's kind of a bait and switch." Pete admits he's tricked us about something.

[9:01] Pete describes what he has observed and what he appreciates about the UTG culture.

[11:15] What is the Stanford experience? "It is a powerful thing… you can sense it and see it."

[12:35] "I probably went there out of pure greed." Pete tells us a remarkable part of his story that prompts Dan to google "prison + business."

[15:05] Hear Pete's message to our River Foundation members, and he has an important piece of advice for our younger listeners.

Episode Resources:

Connect with Pete Ochs

Finances God's Way

Pete's first book, "A High Impact LIFE," and other leadership resources

Welcome back to another exciting episode of The River Foundation Podcast! Our guest today, Pete Ochs, describes himself as a UTG Board Member and Faith-driven entrepreneur. Pete's business experience spans four decades and includes the founding of the Enterprise Stewardship initiative, a transformative entrepreneurship program. Pete shares some of his own life lessons, recommends easy steps for business-eager listeners, and ultimately, shares his formula for success.

Episode Highlights:

[1:35] We are introduced to Pete, who promptly warns that some "may want to turn off the podcast."

[2:45] "I just felt like I was home." Pete shares a key piece of advice for our younger listeners.

[3:24] Unbeknownst to him, Pete did something early on that was the key to his career success. Learn what you can do today to follow in his footsteps.

[5:32] "I will tell you… that experience changed my life." Pete finds himself amid dramatic lawsuits at work.

[8:11] "I knew this was wrong, but I didn't know how to get out of it." Pete describes the first time he really understood God's word.

[9:33] Learn the money-making business strategy that Dan and Pete call "The Recipe".

[11:06] What does it mean to achieve success? Pete shares his formula.

Episode Resources:

Connect with Pete Ochs

Finances God's Way

Pete's first book, "A High Impact LIFE," and other leadership resources

Hello and welcome back to another special celebration episode of The River Foundation Podcast! Today, we are celebrating our 100th episode! We are joined once again by River Foundation contributors, Jami Cervantes, Dan Lewis, Philip Devine, and Eve Gilliam. In this episode, our guests discuss the future of The River Foundation Podcast, give us sneak-peaks of upcoming episodes, and we hear from you, our listeners! If you've enjoyed the last 100 episodes, you'll want to hear what we have in store for the next 100!

Episode Highlights:

[0:54] "We are not done yet, because God is not done yet." We celebrate our 100th episode!

[2:09] The podcast you know and love will go through some exciting changes in the near future. "Stories have been around forever, but the way they are told greatly impacts them."

[3:18] We hear which episodes are your favorites, and Jami & Eve share what they hope for the next 100 episodes.

[8:04] "Gold comes out every single time." Dan speaks about the four groups of people in The River Foundation. Which group are you a part of?

[10:01] "It's amazing for our members to hear." We learn why this podcast is so important for The River Foundation.

[12:16] We hear about a few of the amazing guests that will join us for our next 100 episodes.

[14:30] "What could be?" We chat about the future of the podcast, and what we hope to share moving forward, starting with episode 101!

Episode Resources:

Neal Stephens song

Adrienne Correl Part 1

Adrienne Correl Part 2

Max Appel Part 1

Max Appel Part 2

Heather McWhorter's interview

Hello and welcome to a special celebration episode of The River Foundation Podcast! We are here today with our friends, and important River Foundation contributors, Jami Cervantes, Dan Lewis, Philip Devine, and Eve Gilliam. In this episode, our guests reflect on the last 98 podcast episodes and share their highlights. We hear about our guests' hopes for the podcast's future, and we give you a glimpse of what we do behind the scenes!

Episode Highlights:

[0:33] This seemingly simple table has an incredible meaning at The River Foundation. We introduce you to those who we have gathered around our table for this special celebration episode.

[2:25] Thinking back over the last 98 episodes, we hear how each of our guests has been impacted by the podcast. "I really thought I understood First Southern… There are so many cool stories that I didn't know."

[6:09] Jami, who Dan deems "as faithful as they get" shares her first impression of First Southern and why she regularly shares podcast episodes with others.

[8:25] Finding out how to support and help others isn't always as simple as encouraging their passions, and Eve shares her poignant advice.

[11:15] "Hope is the keyword." We hear Jami's perspective on the First Southern community.

[12:37] Philip, who plays an integral role in putting together each episode, shares his hope for our River Foundation members. "That is really hard to come by."

Episode Resources:

[email protected]

Old World Timber

Hello and welcome back to another exciting episode of The River Foundation Podcast! We are back today with our friend, Adrienne Correll, the daughter of Jess Correll, mother to two children, and founder of a non-profit organization. In this follow-up episode, Adrienne tells us about breaking the gender barrier, shaping her career, and how she likes to give back. Adrienne shares a special message for our River Foundation members, and Dan leaves you with important homework!

Episode Highlights:

[0:33] "Grab a pencil and paper." Dan has an important assignment for our River Foundation members.

[1:17] "You broke the gender barrier!" Listen to what Adrienne accomplished as a young woman.

[4:20] Hear how Adrienne was able to accomplish so much at such a young age. "I knew that I was the person with the least experience."

[6:03] "When you are around something all the time you aren't as observant." We learn about Adrienne's goal for this year.

[8:40] "We don't have to go that far to find places that have less." A close-to-home mission trip pushes Adrienne out of her comfort zone.

[11:35] Adrienne shares her perspective on First Southern and the work that they do. "There's a lot of mystical and magical, but it's also a road map for things that work."

[15:01] Listen to Adrienne's special message and call-to-action for our River Foundation members.

Episode Resources:

The Appalachian Music Project

MSU Moorhead

Randy Atkinson Episode Part 1

Randy Atkinson Episode Part 2

Randy Atkinson Episode Part 3

Adrienne Correll Episode Part 1

Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! We are joined today by our long-time friend and familiar face around First Southern Nation Bank, Adrienne Correll. Adrienne is the daughter of Jess Correll, mother to two children, the founder of a non-profit organization, and she holds a BA from Stetson University. In the first part of this multi-part episode, Adrienne tells us about her life growing up, dealing with her parent's divorce, and finding her path in life. We learn about the Appalachian Music Project that Adrienne founded, and how she continues to give back to her community despite enduring a devastating loss.

Episode Highlights:

[1:16] "It made us super unpopular with our friends." Adrienne describes her life growing up.

[3:04] After her parents divorced, Adrienne stumbled upon a new passion that would dictate her next steps in life.

[4:55] "We were engaged three months after meeting." We hear how Adrienne met her husband, and how their whirlwind romance ultimately ended in tragedy.

[7:33] "I had no clue." Adrienne explains the overwhelming astonishment she felt when she found out her husband wasn't going to make it, and how she got through the grieving process.

[9:15] In the midst of grieving, Adrienne continues to experience the beauty of life, and she shares some of the positives that have come out of the experience.

[10:49] "It was one of the great loves of his life." We hear how Adrienne was able to carry on the legacy of her late husband while simultaneously giving back to her community.

Episode Resources:

The Appalachian Music Project

MSU Moorhead

Randy Atkinson Episode Part 1

Randy Atkinson Episode Part 2

Randy Atkinson Episode Part 3

Hello and welcome to another episode of The River Foundation Podcast! We are back today with our friend, Abraham Fiseha, who previously told us about his life growing up in Ethiopia and how he first came to America. In the second installment of this two-part interview, Abraham explains how he started his Youth Impact program, how his wife's career supports his own, and where he hopes his program is headed. Abraham also shares some deeply personal and shocking stories about his own life and past that you won't want to miss.

Episode Highlights:

[0:35] We hear what Abraham first thought of Kentucky when he arrived.

[1:52] "If you can change the heart, the rest will change." Abraham explains the purpose behind Youth Impact, and recounts how it started.

[5:55] "There is a displacement… a lot of them end up on the street." Learn how Abraham's program in Ethiopia is able to support children during their formative years; the impact this has on their faith is immeasurable.

[8:25] "Who is he? Is he famous?" Abraham tells us a heart-wrenching story of a brother caring for his dying sibling.

[12:50] If you are impressed with Abraham's story, you'll want to hear his wife's. "You spend time with her, and you know what love is."

[14:51] "They are physically big guys, and they were so moved that they were in tears." An important relationship with the University of Kentucky Athletics develops.

[15:37] "I kind of suspected that this question would come…" Hear what Abraham has to say when Dan asks him if he has ever spent time in jail.

Episode Resources:

Youth Impact Ethiopia

Ethiopia Impact

Lalibela, Ethiopia

Welcome back to another exciting episode of The River Foundation Podcast! Today we are joined by our long-time friend, Abraham Fiseha, for the first of a two-part episode. Abraham shares his incredible story with us; he speaks about his poverty-stricken childhood growing up in Ethiopia, followed by opportunities for education, success, and world travel. We hear about the work he does with Youth Impact, and how Abraham continues to net-weave and create opportunities not only in his own life, but in the life of others.

Episode Highlights:

[1:35] Abraham tells us what it was like growing up in Ethiopia. "For the first 12 years of life, I walked barefoot."

[4:07] "Go look at the map and tell me you don't want to go there!" We learn the sacred connection between Israel and Ethiopia, and the history of faith in the region where Abraham grew up.

[6:18] "As I started to walk away, he followed me." Abraham explains how a barefooted kid from Ethiopia ends up in Kentucky.

[10:01] "It was love at first sight." You'll want to hear about this incredible net-weaving experience.

[11:16] "The way it happened was a miracle." Given the right opportunity, Abraham was able to accomplish something he never dreamed would happen for him.

[13:51] "When I was a junior in university, I got a phone call…" Abraham's net-weaving journey continues when he gets a surprise phone call.

[17:11] Abraham shares a remarkable love story.

Episode Resources:

Youth Impact Ethiopia

Ethiopia Impact

Lalibela, Ethiopia

Hello and welcome to a special bonus episode of The River Foundation Podcast! We are back today with our friend and Branch Manager, Heather McWhorter. In this bonus special, Heather tells us about her experience working closely with clients, and her recent financial success. Heather leaves us with some great advice that will help River Foundation members to follow in her footsteps. If you are working towards financial freedom, this episode is for you!

Episode Highlights:

[0:33] "I don't always do this, but I felt led to." Heather shares an emotional story about a special moment she shared with a client.

[2:48] An incredible program available through the bank has allowed Heather to accomplish something truly amazing. "You aren't even 40 and you can say that – it's amazing!"

[4:14] Find out what you can do to earn "free money" from the bank.

Episode Resources:

Email: [email protected]

Hello and welcome to another episode of The River Foundation Podcast! We are joined today by our friend and Branch Manager, Heather McWhorter. With a life-long history of living in Lincoln County and a significant tenure at First Southern National Bank, Heather has a lot of funny stories and great advice to share with our listeners. If you are interested in working in the bank, are struggling to find your career path, or unsure how to integrate your faith into your work, this is the episode for you!

Episode Highlights:

[1:03] "It's lasted and it's important." Heather introduces herself, tells us about her early years, and shares how she found her path.

[4:55] "When you say that I don't take it lightly at all." Dan and Heather talk about "ground zero" for customer service.

[5:49] What's a CSR? What's the difference between a Branch Manager and a Branch Leader? Heather tells us how she excelled and work up the ranks at work.

[8:11] We hear what a typical workday looks like for Heather.

[8:42] "You don't check your faith at the door, nor do you shove it down people's throat." Heather shares how she finds balance in her faith and work.

[10:24] "It's hard to share needs. I don't want everyone to know, so how do I get my needs met?" Heather tells us about a unique opportunity to help team members.

[13:18] Heather tells us some funny stories from working as a bank teller.

Episode Resources:

Email: [email protected]