VoQuest Podcast

C.W. Elliott

We're on a quest to help people find the best way to answer the question, 'What should I do with my life?' 

  1. Fitness, Faith, and Finding Your Path | Kase Kilchrist on Business, Purpose, and Health

    21 APR

    Fitness, Faith, and Finding Your Path | Kase Kilchrist on Business, Purpose, and Health

    In this episode of VoQuest, I sit down with Kase Kilchrist to talk about fitness, faith, business ownership, and what it looks like to find your path when life does not unfold in a straight line. Kase shares how he went from studying child and family development and working as an autism specialist to becoming a trainer and eventually building an online coaching business. Along the way, he explains what people do not see behind the scenes of working for yourself: client check-ins, programming, taxes, KPIs, lead flow, ad spend, content scripting, and the constant pressure of wearing multiple hats. We also talk about the emotional side of the journey: being a people pleaser, taking criticism from people who do not understand your goals, learning how to filter feedback, and refusing to let other people’s expectations dictate your future. For young people interested in health and performance, Kase shares practical advice on avoiding shortcuts, staying natural, learning the basics of nutrition, and understanding why more is not always more in the gym. He also explains why real coaching and accountability still matter in a world full of apps, generic advice, and AI tools. Toward the end, the conversation shifts to faith, surrender, and learning to trust God with your future. If you are trying to figure out your next step, build discipline, or make wiser decisions about work, health, and calling, this episode is full of honest perspective and practical encouragement. Find Kase on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quesolifts/  Follow VoQuest Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voquestpodcast/

    53 min.
  2. What I Wish I Knew About Money at 18 | Mark Schroeder on Saving, Investing, Debt, and Financial Planning

    10 APR

    What I Wish I Knew About Money at 18 | Mark Schroeder on Saving, Investing, Debt, and Financial Planning

    In this episode of the VoQuest Podcast, I sit down with financial advisor Mark Schroeder to talk about the money habits most people wish they had started much earlier. We discuss why character, work ethic, vision, and decision-making come before tactics, then move into practical advice on saving, investing, avoiding emotional decisions, managing debt, and protecting what you build.  Mark gives a grounded look at what financial planning actually involves: helping people clarify their goals, understand their options, and make wise long-term decisions instead of reactive short-term ones. The conversation covers compound interest, why starting early matters even with small amounts, the difference between Roth IRAs and 401(k)s, why ETFs can be a simple starting point for beginners, and how some people think about tools like life insurance as part of a broader financial plan.  A few simple definitions for listeners:  compound interest is when your money earns returns, and then those returns begin earning returns over time; an ETF is a basket of investments that helps you diversify instead of relying on one stock; a Roth IRA is a retirement account funded with after-tax money, where qualified withdrawals can later be tax-free; a 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement account, often funded with pre-tax contributions; and indexed universal life (IUL) is a type of permanent life insurance that can include a cash-value component in addition to a death benefit. This episode is for general education and reflection, not individualized financial advice.  Whether you are a student, a young adult, a parent trying to prepare your kids better than you were prepared, or someone who simply wishes they had started sooner, this episode will challenge you to think differently about money, planning, responsibility, and the kind of life you want to build.  Highlights  Why character and work ethic are foundational financial assets  What financial advisors really do beyond “picking investments”  Why starting with a small amount still matters  Roth IRA vs. 401(k) in simple terms  Why ETFs can be a practical beginner option  Why trying to time the market often backfires  Good debt vs. bad debt  How life insurance fits into long-term planning  Why health, family, and enjoying the journey still matter  What Mark would tell his 17-year-old self

    50 min.
  3. From Fitness to Occupational Therapy: Trevor Thompson's Vocation Quest

    31 MRT

    From Fitness to Occupational Therapy: Trevor Thompson's Vocation Quest

    In this episode of the VoQuest Podcast, we unpack what OT really is with occupational therapist Trevor Thompson, how it differs from physical therapy, and why it can be such a meaningful and flexible career path. Trevor shares his journey from business studies and fitness work to discovering a passion for helping people with complex medical needs, eventually earning his doctorate in occupational therapy and serving veterans in Arizona. Along the way, Trevor explains what a day in the life of an OT looks like, from ICU and emergency room work to adaptive recreation, prosthetics, and helping patients regain the skills they need for everyday life. He also shares how shadowing helped clarify his direction, why continual learning matters long after school ends, and how his career has adapted with different stages of life. Trevor also shares his testimony and the lessons he would share with his younger self: keep trying things, give major decisions time, and trust that God can guide your path even through confusion and pain. Highlights  What occupational therapy actually is and why many people misunderstand it  Trevor’s path from fitness and business into the medical world  How working with clients with MS, ALS, and other conditions changed his direction  Why OT stood out in med school   What OTs do in the ICU, ER, and hospital setting  How occupational therapists help patients with daily life skills after injury or surgery  The difference between OT and PT in practical terms  Education requirements for OT, including the shift toward doctoral programs  A lower-debt bridge path from OTA to OTD that students should know about  Why shadowing is one of the best ways to clarify career direction  Trevor’s framework for a fulfilling day: exercise, purpose, and relationships  How OT can flex with changing life stages, family needs, and long-term goals  The value of reading physical books and creating space for self-reflection  Trevor’s advice to young people: keep jumping in, keep trying things  Why “time is a great filter” for major life decisions  Trevor’s personal testimony of faith, suffering, and learning to trust God again

    47 min.
  4. Setting the Record Straight on Physical Therapy with Cole Denton

    18 MRT

    Setting the Record Straight on Physical Therapy with Cole Denton

    What does a physical therapist actually do, and what does it take to become one? In this episode, I sit down with physical therapist Cole Denton to talk about the real world of PT: what outpatient orthopedics looks like day to day, how physical therapists help people recover from injury, and why the job is much more consultative and problem-solving oriented than many people realize. Cole shares how he found his way into physical therapy, what PT school was really like, and what students should consider before committing to the time, cost, and return on investment of the profession. They also dive into pain science, why pain doesn’t always mean structural damage, the challenge of getting patients to do their at-home exercises, and how curiosity and continued learning shape long-term success in any career. Along the way, the conversation opens up into bigger themes that fit the heart of VoQuest: enjoying the journey, counting the cost, staying curious, and learning to grow through the hard seasons instead of only focusing on the destination. In this episode, you’ll hear about: What a day in the life of an outpatient physical therapist looks likeThe different settings physical therapists can work inHow Cole discovered PT was the right fit for himWhat PT school requires and what it’s like once you graduateWhy pain is often more complex than people thinkThe role of biomechanics, movement, and nervous system regulation in recoveryCommon frustrations in healthcare, including insurance limits and patient complianceWhy physical therapy can be a powerful alternative to overmedicationHow to think about ROI when choosing a career pathWhy enjoying the journey matters just as much as reaching the destinationResource mentioned in the episode: Does College Pay Off? A Comprehensive Return on Investment Analysis

    1 u 1 m
  5. Faith, Risk, and Starting Over in Maui | Jackson Pollock’s Vocation Quest

    5 MRT

    Faith, Risk, and Starting Over in Maui | Jackson Pollock’s Vocation Quest

    What happens when your “plan” stops fitting and you have the courage to pivot? In this episode, I sit down with my old friend Jackson Pollock, who went from a homeschooled kid knocking doors to mow lawns… to building and selling a lawn business… to going back to school in his late 20s… and now practicing chiropractic in Maui, Hawaii. We talk about the uncomfortable decisions that shaped his path: walking away from college when it wasn’t the right fit, rebuilding conviction one step at a time, and making a massive family move that meant “putting life into 11 boxes” and trusting the direction they felt called to go. Jackson also breaks down how his view of chiropractic evolved beyond “neck and back pain,” and we get into the intersection of thoughts, trauma, toxins, and what it looks like to pursue a vocation with both conviction and open hands. In this episode, we cover: How Jackson started a lawn business at 12 The mindset shift behind dropping out of college and later returning with claritySelling a business, starting a new career, and leading a family through big transitionsChiropractic philosophyWhy purpose and “fuel” matter when life gets hardThe #1 thing Jackson would tell his 17/18-year-old self If you’re a student (or parent) navigating “What’s next?”—this one’s for you. Links & Socials Guest: Jackson Pollock / Abundant Life Chiropractic (Maui) Website: https://www.abundantlifemaui.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifemaui/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Abundant-Life-Chiropractic/61579857370116/?sk=about

    47 min.
  6. 18-11-2025

    Joel’s Path: Cop, Tech Entrepreneur, Real Estate Investor, and the Faith That Guides It All

    How do you build a meaningful career when you’re interested in more than one thing? And how do you stay grounded when life takes you into places of real danger, real responsibility, and real purpose? In this episode, Joel shares his incredible journey — from running a phone-repair business in high school, to earning a criminology degree, to becoming a full-time police officer who still finds time to build a tech startup and manage 20 rental properties. Joel breaks down: How he chose law enforcement after wrestling with business vs. purposeWhat real police work is actually like (a LOT more diverse than you think)How he manages multiple careers at once using a strategic shift scheduleCreative financing and how he acquired a portfolio of 20 rental homesA near-death experience on the job that changed his lifeWhy his faith became the foundation that pulled him out of burnoutHow “planting seeds” in people’s lives has led to unbelievable storiesHis advice for 17–18-year-olds figuring out their first stepsThis is one of the most honest, surprising, and purpose-driven career stories on the show; perfect for students, young adults, and anyone trying to understand how faith, work, and calling come together in real life. Connect with the VoQuest Podcast Instagram: @VoQuestPodcast — https://www.instagram.com/voquestpodcast/TikTok: @VoQuest.Podcast — https://www.tiktok.com/@voquest.podcast

    57 min.

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We're on a quest to help people find the best way to answer the question, 'What should I do with my life?'