Podcast
The Workmatters Podcast
Hosted by Workmatters · EN
The conversations on The Workmatters Podcast inspire, equip, and empower Christians to embrace work as one of the most fertile fields for spiritual transformation. You will hear powerful stories from practitioners on how they have been formed into the image of Christ in their work, at their work, and through their work.
17episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Connecting Faith and Work in Unexpected Ways with Ben Kirksey
Apr 600:35:54Tap to summarizeSummaryWelcome to The Workmatters Podcast! In this episode, we’re joined by Ben Kirksey, co-founder of the Workmatters Institute, long-time leader at Workmatters, and now general manager at the Wesche Company. Ben brings a wealth of experience, having shaped Workmatters initiatives and worked across ministry, education, market research, and commercial construction.Together with our hosts, Ben unpacks his journey from a moral upbringing in Arkansas, through pivotal moments of faith during high school and college, to wrestling with life's toughest challenges. He shares how convictions about justice and proximity to those on the margins shaped his career, including his time with Teach For America and his pursuit of purposeful work.Listeners will hear Ben’s reflections on the false divide between faith and vocation, his role in creating the Workmatters Institute to help others unite their calling and walk with Jesus, and practical wisdom for connecting belief to everyday work. Ben also tackles real challenges in diverse industries, offering actionable steps for anyone starting to integrate faith at work.This episode is packed with honesty, practical guidance, and encouragement for those seeking to honor God wherever they work. Tune in for a compelling conversation with Ben that will challenge and inspire you to bring your best, care deeply for others, and experience communion with God through your daily work!Show Notes00:00 Introduction08:43 How Ben Found Purpose Through Justice Work13:38 Starting a Program for Students17:31 Explaining the Workmatters Institute Mission25:42 Balancing Time, Needs, and Priorities29:02 Bringing Your Best to Work34:02 Closing ThoughtsLinksBrandon SwobodaDarrel HarveyWorkmattersBen KirkseyWesche Company
Transcribe →
Transform Your Career and Faith Using This Mentoring Strategy with Henry Ho
Mar 3000:31:17Tap to summarizeSummaryWelcome back to The Workmatters Podcast! In this episode, co-hosts Brandon Swoboda and Darrel Harvey sit down once again with Henry Ho, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Storesight. Building off their previous conversation about redemptive work and entrepreneurship, this episode dives deep into the heart of mentorship and discipleship, two principles that Henry lives and breathes both in the workplace and beyond.You’ll hear real stories and practical wisdom as Henry unpacks his journey from being mentored himself to becoming a “chronic mentor” to others. He shares his thoughtful approach to the difference between mentoring and discipleship, memorable moments from mentoring young entrepreneurs in Africa, and the essential qualities he looks for in those he invests in — faithfulness, availability, and teachability (FAT).The conversation also explores how mentorship plays out in different spheres of life, the messy but meaningful realities of life-on-life discipleship, and the importance of being vulnerable and accessible as a leader and friend. Whether it’s prayer-walking with peers, wrestling with the non-glamorous moments of discipleship, or learning to prioritize availability in a busy world, this episode is packed with encouragement for anyone seeking to integrate their faith with everyday work, leadership, and community.Tune in for an honest, relatable, and hope-filled conversation that will challenge and inspire you to seek out meaningful relationships and step into the calling of mentorship and discipleship, wherever you work and live!Show Notes00:00 Introduction03:59 Mentorship vs. Discipleship10:15 Prioritizing Faithful Discipleship18:35 Authentic Life-on-Life Interaction24:47 How Mentoring Leads to Discipleship30:05 Closing ThoughtsLinksBrandon SwobodaDarrel HarveyWorkmattersHenry HoStoresight
Transcribe →
Christians Are Missing This at Work with Dr. Joy Dahl
Mar 2300:35:49Tap to summarizeSummaryWelcome to this episode of The Workmatters Podcast, where we dive deep into the incredible intersection of faith and work. Our guest, Dr. Joy Dahl, shares her inspiring journey from corporate success to becoming a passionate advocate for integrating faith in the workplace. With over thirty years of experience as a business strategist and fractional CFO, Dr. Dahl reveals how God is already at work in our offices and invites us to respond and shine his light wherever we’re placed.Dr. Dahl, along with hosts Brandon Swoboda and Keisha Fowler, explores practical ways to embrace your calling as Christ’s ambassador—no matter your role or industry. Together, they unpack common challenges like fear and the secular-sacred divide, discuss the importance of spiritual boundaries and rhythms, and share real stories about living out faith authentically at work. Whether you’re seeking to thrive professionally, grow spiritually, or are simply curious about what it means to make your work matter to God, this conversation offers encouragement, actionable insights, and genuine wisdom for your everyday workplace.Tune in to discover how you can start seeing your job as a place where God shapes you, uses your unique gifts, and calls you to make a meaningful impact right where you are! Show Notes00:00 Introduction08:49 Christ’s Presence in Work11:06 Living Out Faith in Daily Work14:15 Sharing Your Story Fearlessly18:24 The Faith and Work Connection22:00 Seeking God’s Direction Daily25:23 Creating Healthy Rhythms27:36 Leadership Through Faith Practices30:07 Pause, Prepare, and Invite God34:55 Closing ThoughtsLinksBrandon SwobodaKeisha FowlerSimmons FoodsWorkmattersDr. Joy DahlDr. Dahl’s Website
Transcribe →
You’re Wasting Your Gifts at Work: The Truth About Stewardship with Steve Graves
Mar 1600:29:21Tap to summarizeSummaryWelcome to The Workmatters Podcast! In today’s episode, hosts Brandon Swoboda and Keisha Fowler welcome back Steve Graves, author, business owner, and veteran leader who has invested decades in helping others navigate the challenges and rewards of integrating faith into everyday work life.This episode centers around Steve’s newest book, Radical Stewardship: Partnering with the Master in Everyday Life, and dives into what stewardship really means, not just from a financial perspective, but as a holistic approach to life. You’ll hear the story of how his previous work, The Gospel Goes to Work, made a global impact all the way to Africa, and how the principles of stewardship continue to resonate across cultures and generations.Additionally, Steve shares thought-provoking insights about the Parable of the Talents, the dangers of practical atheism, and the four key steps to faithful stewardship: recognizing our gifts, transferring ownership back to God, multiplying what’s been given, and being accountable for its use. The discussion also touches on the pitfalls and traps that keep many of us in a “third steward” mentality—clinging tightly out of fear or mindlessly wasting the opportunities we’ve been given.For parents, leaders, and anyone wrestling with comparison or calling, Steve offers advice on how to help the next generation celebrate their unique gifts and trust the thoughtful allocation of those gifts from God. He also opens up about his own spiritual formation, revealing how writing the book challenged and shaped him in this legacy season of his career.Whether you’re new to the concept of stewardship or looking for fresh encouragement to live out your faith in the workplace, this episode is packed with wisdom, vulnerability, and practical encouragement. Join us and discover how “partnering with the Master” can transform not only your work, but your whole life! Show Notes00:00 Introduction04:29 Misunderstanding Stewardship and Parables10:58 Transferring and Multiplying Ownership21:06 Embracing Gifts with Purpose24:01 Season of Legacy and Stewardship27:18 Discovering God’s Gifts28:54 Closing ThoughtsLinksBrandon SwobodaDarrel HarveyWorkmattersSteve GravesRadical Stewardship BookSteve’s WebsiteCornerstone Coaching
Transcribe →
Is Vulnerability the Secret to Success at Work? with Sarah Schafer
Mar 900:31:54Tap to summarizeSummaryWelcome to The Workmatters Podcast! In today’s episode, hosts Brandon Swoboda and Darrel Harvey are honored to welcome Sarah Schafer, a licensed professional counselor and consultant whose life and work are rooted deeply in faith, compassion, and an honest embrace of humanity’s messiness.Sarah opens up about her own journey, describing how early exposure to the gospel, personal struggles with an eating disorder, and the challenges of raising a child with chronic health issues led her to a place of deep dependence on Jesus. Furthermore, Sarah explores how she integrates her faith into her counseling practice, guiding clients through trauma, relationships, and career transitions. Plus, she shares how trauma therapy requires a willingness to sit in the messy and trust God to lead the healing process.Lastly, Sarah addresses the challenge many face of masking vulnerability at work and the importance of appropriate vulnerability, both with God and in trusted relationships. This episode is full of wisdom and encouragement for anyone wrestling with the intersection of faith, work, and mental well-being. If you’ve ever felt the tension between achievement and authenticity, or wondered how to invite God into the real-life challenges of your work, you’ll find Sarah’s story both relatable and inspiring!Show Notes00:00 Introduction05:07 Sarah’s Path to Counseling and Faith07:00 EMDR and Trauma Therapy Insights12:17 Navigating Retirement and Finding Purpose16:52 Vulnerability While Facing Pressure25:56 Grace in Understanding Human Behavior31:27 Closing ThoughtsLinksBrandon SwobodaDarrel HarveyWorkmattersFellowship Counseling and Care Center
Transcribe →
He Risked Everything and Won—A Journey of Faith, Service, and Redemption with Nick Morgan
Mar 200:38:46Tap to summarizeSummaryWelcome to The Workmatters Podcast! In this episode, hosts Brandon Swoboda and Keisha Fowler sit down with Nick Morgan, a dynamic leader, entrepreneur, and combat veteran whose journey is marked by resilience, faith, and a deep commitment to serving others. From humble beginnings and financial struggles in his childhood to serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Nick shares how early life challenges sparked his heart for compassion and advocacy.Listeners will be inspired by Nick’s transition from military life to the corporate world, and then into business ownership as the operator of multiple Jersey Mike’s Subs locations. Discover how he integrates his faith in practical, tangible ways—mentoring employees, offering innovative benefits like paid maternity leave, and even helping a former military translator and his family find a new life in America. Throughout the conversation, Nick highlights the power of community, risk-taking, and the transformative impact of leading with generosity and vision.Whether you’re seeking encouragement to live out your faith at work or looking for real-life examples of redemptive business practices, this episode is full of practical wisdom, uplifting stories, and reminders that every role, no matter the industry, has the potential to make a difference. Join us as we explore how work can become a place of purpose, dignity, and hope!Show Notes00:00 Introduction03:32 Childhood Struggles and Practicing Gratefulness11:45 Nick’s Military Experience Overseas17:58 How Risk-Taking Shaped Nick’s Path24:10 Perseverance Amid Rejection27:54 Encouraging Paid Maternity Policies30:43 Developing Leaders Through Organizational Initiatives35:53 Empowering Through Redemptive Work37:39 Closing ThoughtsLinksBrandon SwobodaDarrel HarveyWorkmattersJersey Mike’s SubsAfrica Renewal
Transcribe →
Unlocking Hidden Potential: Transform Your Work Into a Place of Healing
Feb 2300:32:42Tap to summarizeSummaryWelcome to the first episode of Season 2 of The Workmatters Podcast! In this episode, hosts Brandon Swoboda, Keisha Fowler, and Darrel Harvey kick off Season 2 with an honest, timely conversation about the realities facing today’s workforce. Drawing from their own experiences and recent insights from Brené Brown, the team opens up about the struggles so many employees and leaders are carrying with them to work every day.Additionally, the conversation goes deeper than just identifying challenges. Keisha suggests that workplaces have the potential to become sanctuaries where people can truly bring their whole selves, imagining a shift where work serves as a space for connection, healing, and being seen as fully human. Darrel highlights the importance of lament as a neglected but powerful practice in Christian life and work, providing a step-by-step guide to naming pain, affirming trust in God, and rooting ourselves in gratitude.The trio tackles questions such as: How can leaders regulate themselves before caring for their teams? How do we invite vulnerability and hope into the workplace? And what does it look like to create community, even in high-pressure environments?If you’ve ever felt alone, overwhelmed, or unsure how to integrate your faith with your daily work, this episode is packed with wisdom, empathy, and practical ideas. Discover how to see work as more than just a job, it’s a space where God meets you, shapes you, and empowers you to make a difference!Show Notes00:00 Introduction03:15 Work as a Healing Sanctuary10:16 Being Christian at Work15:02 Rediscovering the Art of Lament23:04 Practical Steps for Emotional Regulation26:17 Daily Reflection with Examen27:32 Exploring Work as Spiritual Formation31:39 Closing ThoughtsLinksBrandon SwobodaDarrel HarveyWorkmattersKeisha FowlerSimmons Foods
Transcribe →