Generous Business Owner

Jeff Thomas, Alan Barnhart, Jeff Rutt
  • 4.9 (34)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Many business owners think they have to wait until after they sell their company to do significant giving. Each week, listen as Jeff Thomas, Alan Barnhart, Jeff Rutt and their guests discuss practical ways to be more generous NOW. Whether your business does one million in revenue or one billion, this podcast is for you.

  1. 1d ago

    Mark Whitacre: Following the Compass of God

    Who are the mentors in your life that you are learning from? Are they leading you to God or down the wrong path? In this episode, Jeff and Mark discuss:  Doing the right thing even when nobody else is. The importance of following the compass of the Lord, not of mammon. Seeing the miracles of God in the worst moments of our lives. Introducing God to others through your business.    Key Takeaways:  If you don’t have God, money will become your God. If you find yourself going down the wrong path, change your mentor, and you will change your whole future. God and purpose will fill the voids in your life far more than money or notoriety ever will. As long as it remains optional, you can absolutely talk about faith and have a chaplain in your business. Be bold about your service to God. Legally, you gain protections because people know who you are, know what you’re about, and know your values from the get-go. You can never go wrong by doing the right thing.    "Show me your mentor, and I’ll show you your future." —  Mark Whitacre   About Mark Whitacre: Mark Whitacre has been engaged with the faith at work movement for the past twenty years.  Mark is Vice President of Culture & Care and Executive Director of the t-factor initiative at Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., and has worked with Coca-Cola Consolidated since 2019.  Coca-Cola Consolidated is a faith-friendly, publicly traded (NASDAQ) company with an official purpose statement: “To honor God in all we do, to serve others, to pursue excellence, and to grow profitably”.   Mark had served as National Director and then COO of Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC) from 2013 to 2019.  Mark was the COO and Chief Science Officer from 2006 to 2013 at Cypress Systems, Inc., a California faith-based biotechnology company where Mark still serves on Cypress’ advisory council.    Mark’s story is also a story of redemption and a second chance, where he now works for his largest victim of price-fixing from 35 years ago,  and Mark is still married to his wife who turned him into the FBI 35 years ago.   After completing his B.S. and M.S. degrees at Ohio State University, Mark earned his Ph.D. degree at Cornell University in biochemistry.  He worked as an executive for some Fortune 500 companies, including Ralston Purina (now Nestle), Degussa (now Evonik), and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM).  He was recruited at ADM when he was 32 as the President of the Biotech Division and Corporate Vice President of ADM.  Mark has extensive international business experience, having lived in Germany for four years working for Evonik at their world headquarters in Frankfurt. Mark and his wife Ginger have been married for 47 years and have three adult children.   Connect with Mark Whitacre: Website: https://markwhitacre.com/   Connect with Jeff Thomas:  Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/ Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/ Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

    Mark Whitacre: Following the Compass of God

  2. Jul 21

    Stephen Ezell: Where Faith, Freedom, and Entrepreneurship Collide

    What can you do to answer the calling that is tugging on your heart?  In this episode, Jeff and Stephen discuss:  Restarting from zero with faith and motivation.  Nerding out on the word of God and honoring Him in all things. The founding and growth of Truly Free and Truly Free Home.  Anti-slavery mission work and broader vision for conscious, freedom-centered business.  The evolution of social commerce and attention capital.     Key Takeaways:  A painful upbringing and chaotic family life can become fuel for protecting others and building something great. It does not have to hinder you, but can rather spark your fire.  Life will have crises. Those personal crises can spark mission-driven businesses or operations to solve real, everyday problems.  Faith does not need to be a distant tradition. Make it the center of your life - it can shape leadership and guide business decisions and long-term vision.  There are more women and children enslaved today than at any other point in history. Who is standing in the gap to find these women and children in bondage?  Consumers are changing their buying behaviors - startups and entrepreneurs are answering the call that big companies are not.    "The world needs more conscious entrepreneurs now than any other time in human history, and if you have a calling on your life to do good through commerce, the time is now, and don't let the grass grow under your feet." —  Stephen Ezell   About Stephen Ezell: Stephen Ezell is the founder and CEO of Truly Free Home and Truly Free. Renowned for its plant-based, non-toxic cleaning and laundry solutions, Ezell created Truly Free Home in 2015 to make family-safe, refillable cleaning and laundry products more accessible to consumers. Ezell’s refillable cleaning revolution has freed more than 1,000,000 homes from harmful chemicals and toxins to date, eliminating 25 million single-use plastics from the environment. Named a 2023 Henry Crown Fellow, a 2025 EY Entrepreneur of the Year, a 2025 Endeavor Entrepreneur, and Inc.’s Best in Business List in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Known as a disruptive thought leader in the conscious capital movement, Ezell architects brands and online marketplaces that drive revenue and positively impact the world. He has strategically positioned multiple companies to achieve industry leadership throughout his career, creating sustainable jobs in three countries. Most recently, Ezell expanded Truly Free Home’s business portfolio with the launch of Truly Free, the world’s first revenue-sharing, decentralized social commerce platform, to connect brands, creators, and consumers. In recognition of his business success and philanthropic work in combating human trafficking, Ezell has been featured in leading publications like Fast Company, Entrepreneur, Crain’s Detroit Business Journal, and countless more.    Connect with Stephen Ezell: Website: https://trulyfreehome.com/  Website: https://trulyfree.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenjezell    Connect with Jeff Thomas:  Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/ Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/ Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

    Stephen Ezell: Where Faith, Freedom, and Entrepreneurship Collide

  3. Jul 14

    Spence Wilson Jr.: Stewarding a Multi-Generational Business Without Entitlement

    What keeps a multi-generational business from collapsing by the third generation? In this episode, Jeff and Spence discuss:  Building family relationships from a young age. The origin story of Holiday Inn and how it was built out of necessity.  Growing a business with customer service and going above and beyond, even when nobody else does.  Leading and guiding with questions, not commands.     Key Takeaways:  In a family business (and life), build the relationship capital before stressing about the business capital, especially with younger generations as they’re being raised.   Failures help make success sweeter and give you more appreciation for those things that work well. It also gives you lessons that, if you learn from them, can help you progress forward with more wisdom.  Not all businesses require family ownership to succeed. Understanding whether your family business does or does not is key.  Entitlement will ruin more family businesses than anything else. Be humble, stay grounded, and continue to steward the legacy - it is your responsibility for whatever comes next.     "There’s nothing better than working with your family. But there’s probably nothing worse than working with your family if you don’t do it right. You've got to have a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and love. With those, you can go a long way, personally and professionally." —  Spence Wilson Jr.   About Spence Wilson Jr.: Spence Wilson, Jr. joined Kemmons Wilson Companies (KWC) in 1995. He is currently a Principal of KWC Management and Executive Chairman of KWC, LLC. Spence began his career with KWC by helping turn around two different operating businesses. In the early to mid-2000’s, he helped develop KWC’s private investment strategy along with creating a network of deal sources and potential partners. Today, in addition to his duties as Chairman of KWC, LLC, he serves as a director on the board of Holiday Inn Club Vacations (formerly the Family of Orange Lake Resorts) headquartered in Orlando, FL. Spence’s philanthropic and civic involvements include: The National Civil Rights Museum (BOD), Greater Memphis Chamber’s Chairman’s Circle (former Chair and Co-chair), EpiCenter Memphis (BOD and Treasurer), Memphis Brand (BOD and Treasurer), Youth Programs, Inc. (FedEx Cup Playoff Tournament Memphis). Spence earned a BS from the University of Alabama and an MBA from the University of Memphis.   Connect with Spence Wilson Jr.: Website: https://kwcmgmt.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spence-wilson-jr-0bb883252     Connect with Jeff Thomas:  Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/ Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/ Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

    Spence Wilson Jr.: Stewarding a Multi-Generational Business Without Entitlement

  4. Jul 7

    Tom McGehee: Building an Abundant Life Based on Kingdom Identity

    When God sees you, what does He think? In this episode, Jeff and Tom discuss:  Why being needs to be grounded in identity and doing needs to be grounded in your being. What having an abundant life means and how it may change. Building abundance from the Father’s perspective, not the world’s perspective. Coming to understand that the results belong to God. The spiritual battle we are in every day.     Key Takeaways:  What you are called to do right now may not be what you’re called to do in a different season of life. Steward what God has given you and is calling you to do right now.  There is no reason to separate our business decisions from our walks with Christ. The more you walk with Him, the closer you will be to Him, and the more abundant your life will be.  When you understand how God sees you, you will be able to work from your worth, not for your worth.  You don’t have to be all one thing or another. You are not competing with others who are going for more-more-more. You can base who you are on your being and the gifts and desires God has given you.     "What it means for an abundant life is as unique to each individual, as the individual is." —  Tom McGehee   Episode References:  Halftime:  https://halftimeinstitute.org/ Abide & Lead: https://abideandlead.com/ Left of Bang by Patrick Van Horne and Jason A. Riley   About Tom McGehee: Tom currently acts as an independent coach, trainer, and facilitator. Working business executives and individuals to help them live more abundant lives. In 2020, Tom became CO-CEO of Halftime- a coaching ministry for high-capacity leaders to help them discover who they are and what God created them to do. In 2025, Halftime merged with The Faith Driven Movement, and Tom continued to lead Halftime’s programs and services through the end of that year. Tom was introduced to collaborative work in 1998 when as a Partner with Ernst & Young Consulting. Tom felt called to this type of work and became a lead facilitator in E&Y’s Accelerated Solutions Environment where he facilitated sessions for some of the world’s largest companies.  In 2001, Tom left E&Y to launch his own company, The WildWorks Group, focusing on designing and delivering large group collaborative engagements for businesses, churches, and ministries all over the world. Tom began his career by serving in the Marines for 12 years. During his service, Tom commanded two Special Operations Capable Units and served at the Marine Barracks, Washington, DC. After leaving the military, Tom moved to Texas, first to work on large outsourcing deals with EDS, then to become a Partner with Ernst & Young Consulting.  Tom’s work extends to over 25 countries and has carried him from some of the biggest boardrooms to some of the world’s most innovative organizations. Tom attended Auburn University, where he met his wife, Elaine. They have been married for 48 years and live in the Dallas area with their three children and eleven grandchildren.    Connect with Tom McGehee: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tmcgehee/    Connect with Jeff Thomas:  Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/ Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/ Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

    Tom McGehee: Building an Abundant Life Based on Kingdom Identity

  5. Jun 30

    David McDonald: Leading with Service in Multi-Generational Businesses

    Have you thought about how your business will continue to serve four generations in the future?  In this episode, Jeff and David discuss:  Why loving and serving people is the secret to success.  Starting a business young and making every mistake three times.  Scaling even without planning to sell.  Multi-generational businesses in multiple industries.  Multiplying every tool you’ve been given.    Key Takeaways:  You should always run your organization with an outward, not an inward, focus.  Invite people into the ministry, whatever that looks like for your organization, with no pressure. Reserve the time and just ask.  Like with tithing, when you take time to give to God, He will give back to you in ways you can’t imagine.  We have clear evidence in scripture that when people steward in God’s way, great blessings will come.  Think long-term when making short-term decisions.     "We've said that if someone said, ‘you can no longer do Bible study,’ we literally would probably close down the company, because it's the lifeblood of what we do, and it has tremendous impact on our people, and we've seen people grow in their faith, we've seen people come to know God in a deeper way." —  David McDonald    About David McDonald: David and his brothers are third-generation automobile dealers based out of Denver. In 1991, alongside his brother and college roommates from the University of Oklahoma, David founded Escalante Golf, a boutique owner and operator of luxury golf properties. In 2004, David moved the company’s headquarters to Fort Worth to help fuel its growth. Escalante Golf now stewards 25 properties in 17 states. David and his wife Dorenda have four grown children; three working in the family business and one working in full-time ministry with CRU.   Connect with David McDonald: Icon Golf: https://exploreicongolf.com/  Escalante Golf: https://www.escalantegolf.com/ McDonald Automotive: https://www.mcdonaldag.com/     Connect with Jeff Thomas:  Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/ Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/ Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

    David McDonald: Leading with Service in Multi-Generational Businesses

  6. Jun 23

    Russ Crosson: Leveraging Your Wealth with Biblical Wisdom

    What if the real measure of your success isn’t the size of your business, but how intentionally you leverage your wealth for generosity, family harmony, and impact that outlasts your lifetime? In this episode, Jeff and Russ discuss:  Separating the business finances from the personal. Intentional communication around wealth. Teaching and learning biblical financial principles for decades. Integrating family communication in wealth conversations. Leveraging business wealth for generosity, donor-advised funds, and eternal impact.    Key Takeaways:  Growing wealth increases complexity, not simplicity. Intentional planning and communication must increase as net worth grows. Separating business and personal finances is foundational; confusion between the two creates stress, conflict, and poor decisions. Assets should match the skills and calling of the recipient. Misaligned inheritances often create frustration instead of freedom. Joint ownership among heirs also commonly creates frustration and conflict and should be approached with caution. Don’t tie your ego to your assets so much that you don’t have the courage to begin to convert the form to help your kids.    "Take your specific assets, run them through, and see where the unintended consequences are, and come back to not a lot of joint ownership. You want your kids to do what God's called them to do, not what God called you to do." —  Russ Crosson   About Russ Crosson: Russ Crosson is a senior partner of Blue Trust and was hired in 1980 as the second employee of Blue Trust. From 1999 to 2002, Russ served as Executive Director of the National Christian Foundation (NCF) and president and CEO of Blue Trust from 2002 to 2017. He currently serves as Chief Mission Officer for BlueTrust, working to ensure the mission never changes and is inculcated into future generations. Russ is the author of several books, including Your Life… Well Spent, The Truth About Money Lies, What Makes a Leader Great, Your Money Made Simple, and Leverage. He has also been a featured speaker in many venues. Russ graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in mathematics and a master’s degree in education. Russ and his wife Julie live in Roswell, Georgia, and have been married for 46 years. They have three sons, three daughters-in-law, and ten grandchildren. In his spare time, Russ enjoys playing pickleball and spending time with his grandchildren.   Connect with Russ Crosson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-trust-wealth   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluetrustfinancial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_bluetrust/ Books:  Your Life… Well Spent: The Eternal Rewards of Investing Yourself and Your Money in Your Family The Truth About Money Lies: Help for Making Wise Financial Decisions What Makes a Leader Great: Discover the One Key That Makes the Difference Your Money Made Simple: The Key to Financial Freedom Leverage: Using Temporal Wealth for Eternal Gain    Connect with Jeff Thomas:  Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/ Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/ Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

    Russ Crosson: Leveraging Your Wealth with Biblical Wisdom

  7. Jun 16

    Chuck Welden: Integrating Faith Deeply into Your Business

    What is the goal and assignment you have received from God? In this episode, Jeff and Chuck discuss:  God can find you wherever you are, even if you aren’t expecting it.  Humbling and honestly handling struggles. Ministry outside of church employment. Beginning with moderation on business ministry.    Key Takeaways:  Your work matters to God. He can have an impact through you no matter what industry or sector you are in.   You’re not as smart as you think you are; you’re not as dumb as you think you are, either. You don’t treasure what you don’t measure. How are you progressing God’s Kingdom each day? Get good at what you’re doing. It will help your business flourish and your generosity increase.     "We say you don't treasure what you don't measure. We measure everything, and then we rely on God to show us how we can change and how we can evolve, how we can modify." —  Chuck Welden   Episode References:  Pete Ochs: Creating a Vision of Who You Can Be Lead Like Jesus Revisited by Ken Blanchard, Phil Hodges, and Phyllis Hendry  Your Work Matters to God by Doug Sherman and William Hendricks   About Chuck Welden: Chuck Welden is a principal at WeldenField in Birmingham, Alabama, where he focuses on alternative investments and real estate opportunities, which include acquisition, development, and construction for multifamily, single-family, hotel, active adult, and land development. www.weldenfield.com Investing in Business as Mission Companies has been one of the focal points for alternative investments, with over 40 investments in a dozen countries. He, along with several others, created the Lion’s Den, which is an annual “shark tank” like event for business as mission companies held in Birmingham each October. www.thelionsden.us These interactions continue to inform WeldenField as it looks for intersection points for integrating business and faith in its own business activities, including forming a Business as Mission Real Estate Fund focused on value-add opportunities in the Southeast. The Fund’s goal is to achieve market-rate returns while having a strong social and spiritual impact with their residents and the surrounding community.  Chuck and his wife, Lauren, reside in Birmingham, Alabama. They have four children and eleven grandchildren.    Connect with Chuck Welden: Website: www.weldenfield.com  Website: www.thelionsden.us    Connect with Jeff Thomas:  Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/ Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/ Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

    Chuck Welden: Integrating Faith Deeply into Your Business

  8. Jun 9

    Jacob Robinson: Operating with Imagination, Building with Faith

    What if all of the nos and disasters of your life are the start of the exact path God is using to build something bigger?  In this episode, Jeff and Jacob discuss:  Discovering entrepreneurship through networking. Seeing the world how Jesus asks us to. Operating from a place of faith, not fear, regardless of our memory of fear. Learning something every step of the way.    Key Takeaways:  Take the first step - it is more likely to be a curb or a three foot wall, not a cliff.  Start before you know everything. You will be learning throughout the process of whatever you’re doing. You are going to miss, both for good and for bad, but you won’t know if you don’t start. The spirit of fear is not of the Lord. He can do more with us than we think is possible.  You cannot write the end of your story. Just keep going - your story will be worth telling one day.    "The Lord did not give you this vision or this desire or this relentless ability for nothing, and one of two things are going to happen: either the business will come to fruition, the way that you've envisioned it, and the way that the Lord has put on your heart, or it won't, but something will come out of that for the better." —  Jacob Robinson   About Jacob Robinson: Jacob Robinson is the founder of three start-ups including Dig World, a theme park where kids and adults get to operate real construction equipment. 1 Stone Solutions, a commercial cleaning company and DryPort Capital, an industrial outdoor storage real estate firm. He has successfully started, raised funds, built management teams, and executed plans to bring three diverse businesses to life. In 2023, Jacob was recognized as one of the “Most Admired CEOs in Houston” by the Houston Business Journal. He is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the Brookwood Community for disabled adults and is involved in his church. In 2025, Jacob aired on ABCs hit show, Shark Tank telling his personal story and the story of Dig World to a national audience. Jacob is a graduate from Texas A&M University. He lives in Katy, TX with his wife, Melissa and children, Pierce, Annie, and Spencer.   Connect with Jacob Robinson: Website: https://digworldnation.com/ Website: https://www.jacobrobinson.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-robinson-9912b215 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacob.robinson.942/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robinsonjacob    Connect with Jeff Thomas:  Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/ Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/ Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

    Jacob Robinson: Operating with Imagination, Building with Faith
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4.9
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

Many business owners think they have to wait until after they sell their company to do significant giving. Each week, listen as Jeff Thomas, Alan Barnhart, Jeff Rutt and their guests discuss practical ways to be more generous NOW. Whether your business does one million in revenue or one billion, this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeff Thomas, Alan Barnhart, Jeff Rutt
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    221
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jeff Thomas
  • Show Website
    Generous Business Owner

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