The Founder Collective Podcast

Tamra Andress, and Anthony Hart

The Founder Collective Podcast is a monthly gathering of leaders, founders, and messengers committed to discipleship beyond the church walls. Through unfiltered conversations and Gospel-centered truth, listeners are equipped to live on mission, reach the lost, and step into their greatest Kingdom assignment.

  1. Oct 27

    Ep. 149: Part 2 - The Message Matters, and So Does the Messenger

    Before Chris Rickstrew knew Jesus, he lived with yogis in the Himalayas, and surrendering to the universe came easily. So partway through this conversation he asked the room a question a lot of believers quietly carry: why is it harder to surrender to God than it ever was to surrender to a thing? The answer he found in real time traced all the way back to a grandfather on a couch who rarely looked away from the TV. Part 2 picks up after Alejandra Crisafulli's teaching and opens the floor. Pastor Anthony Hart asks the question Jesus asked at the pool of Bethesda, "Do you want to be healed?", and talks about why unhealed wounds get infected the moment someone touches your testimony. Tamra Andress shares what surrender looks like while running FounderCon with a newborn on her lap. Community members Kelly Clossin, Jamal Maxsam, and Tamara Fox add their own stories, and the conversation lands on the difference between owning your calling and stewarding it, and why only one of those lets you rest. If you've ever felt like God is the hardest person in your life to impress, this one is for you. Start with Part 1 if you missed Alejandra's teaching. What You'll Learn About Surrendering to God Why surrender can feel harder after you know Jesus, andwhat relationship has to do with itHow old approval patterns quietly shape the way youhear Scripture, including the parable of the talentsWhat living as a son or daughter changes about rest,pressure, and performanceWhy ownership keeps you exhausted and stewardship lets you hand the results back to God A simple test Pastor Anthony uses to know whetheryou're in God's willResources Mentioned The Surrender Map from Alejandra Crisafulli:[INSERT LINK]•   Part 1 of this episode (Alejandra's fullteaching): [INSERT LINK] •   FounderCon tickets: [INSERT LINK] •   Alejandra's 21-Day Surrender Challenge •   Melissa Hughes on "expansionsyndrome," speaking at FounderCon Scripture referenced: John 5:1–9; Luke 15:11–32; Revelation 12:11; Matthew 11:28–30 (MSG); John 14:16; Matthew 3:17; Timothy 1:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Mark 4:39; Philippians 4:7; John 8:1–11; Matthew 25:14–30; Genesis 3 If this conversation stirred something up, come sit in the room with the people who had it. FounderCon is three days with Christian founders, pastors, and coaches who decided a long time ago they don't want to do this alone, and this year sponsors have brought tickets down to $25. Grab your ticket at https://thefoundercollective.org/. Connect with Alejandra Website. - ⁠https://theballercoach.com/⁠ Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/theballercoach/⁠ Get the Surrender Map - ⁠https://link.180methodgroup.com/widget/form/BFgK296UbPB3V6XsEVQe⁠ FounderCon tickets : ⁠https://thefoundercollective.org/⁠

  2. Oct 20

    Ep. 148: The Message Matters, and So Does the Messenger

    Alejandra Crisafulli has coached more than 6,000 entrepreneurs and leaders over 22 years. She also didn't learn to read until she was twelve, and for a long time the little girl who believed she wasn't smart enough had a quiet vote in how Alejandra carried her message. In this Founder Collective Encounter, Alejandra names the gap so many faith-driven founders live in. You know what God says about trusting Him, you mean it when you pray it, and then something unexpected hits and you're back to running scenarios and managing outcomes. More information rarely closes that gap. When your nervous system learned that control equals safety, surrender is going to register as danger, and the answer is healing what's underneath instead of white-knuckling your way through it. What You'll Learn About Surrendering to God • Why you can believe every promise in Scripture andstill grab for control the moment life gets uncertain • The difference between dealing and healing, and between calming the alarm and changing what sets it off • How four younger versions of you may be the ones answering criticism, rejection, and the unknown • What changes when surrender becomes something you keep doing instead of a box you check once • Why stewarding your calling carries a lighter load than owning it Scripture referenced: 1 Peter 3:15; Proverbs 3:5–6; Psalm 46:10; 1 Peter 5:7; Romans 7; John 5:1–9; Revelation 12:11; Luke15:11–32; Matthew 3:17; Matthew 11:28–30; John 14:16; John 8:1–11; Matthew 25:14–30; 1 Timothy 1:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Philippians 4:7 If this conversation stirred something up, come sit in the room with the people who had it. FounderCon is three days with Christian founders, pastors, and coaches who decided a long time ago they don't want to do this alone, and this year sponsors have brought tickets down to $25. Grab your ticket at https://thefoundercollective.org/. Connect with Alejandra Website. - https://theballercoach.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theballercoach/ Get the Surrender Map - https://link.180methodgroup.com/widget/form/BFgK296UbPB3V6XsEVQe FounderCon tickets : https://thefoundercollective.org/

  3. Aug 25

    Ep. 146: Return to Your Original Design: Trusting God, Your Body, and the Next Step with Jennifer Watson

    What happens when you have more information, more tools, and more voices available to you than ever before... but you trust yourself less? In this episode of The Founder Collective, Jennifer Watson challenges founders and leaders to stop outsourcing the very things God designed them to use: discernment, critical thinking, intuition, and the wisdom carried within the mind and body. AI can be an incredible tool, but Jennifer points out that in a fast-moving world, it's easy to hand over our agency and become disconnected from what she calls our original design. And sometimes what we're calling burnout or lack of clarity isn't actually either one. It may be distortion under stress. Jennifer walks the Founder community through her three-part SHIFT technique: Anchor. Move. Discern. It's a practical framework for navigating identity shifts, high-stakes decisions, uncertainty, and those seasons when God seems to be giving you one step instead of the entire plan. In This Episode Jennifer shares how to: Recognize when stress, noise, and outside opinions are distorting your decision-making Return to your "original design" instead of continually outsourcing discernment Navigate the uncomfortable space between who you've been and who you're becoming Identify the people, opportunities, habits, or old identities you may need to release Move forward with conviction and enough clarity, even when you can't see the entire strategy Distinguish between something being wrong and simply being unfamiliar Pay attention to the difference between truth and a trigger Use the "Over the Mountain" exercise to identify what you actually want your goals to create in your life Begin living pieces of that future identity now instead of waiting until you've reached the goal You don't have to wait until the revenue comes, the business grows, the opportunity opens, or everyone else validates the calling before you begin becoming who God has called you to be. Anchor. Take the next step. Discern the signal from the noise. And trust the God who already knows what's on the other side of the mountain. About The Founder Collective The Founder Collective is a community for faith-driven founders, entrepreneurs, leaders, and kingdom builders who want to grow businesses, ministries, and influence without separating their faith from the way they lead. These conversations are about more than business strategy. They're about becoming the kind of people who can steward what God has entrusted to us and using our gifts to serve one another well. Get your tickets for Founder Con at https://thefoundercollective.org

  4. Jul 21

    Ep. 145: How God Uses Places to Shape People with Jessica Shakir

    What if the places you’ve walked through—both the beautiful ones and the painful ones—have been forming you all along? In this Founder Collective Experience, Jessica Shakir invites us into a rich, theological conversation about Scripture through the lens of place. Rather than seeing the Bible as a collection of disconnected stories, she reveals how God consistently uses physical locations to communicate spiritual realities and shape His people. From Eden to Gethsemane, from wilderness to mountaintops, Jessica explores how environments become invitations into deeper intimacy with God. She reminds us that our current season isn't random—God is often doing His deepest work in the very places we'd rather leave. If you've ever questioned why God has you where you are, this conversation offers fresh perspective, biblical insight, and hope that every place has purpose in His Kingdom story. Why physical places matter throughout Scripture How environments shape our spiritual formation The connection between Eden, Gethsemane, and God's redemptive plan What it means to stay awake in seasons of suffering Why Jesus chose specific locations during pivotal moments of His ministry The symbolism behind the Garden of Gethsemane as the "garden of crushing" The clash between earthly kingdoms and God's Kingdom How our identity is formed by God's presence—not our circumstances Why your current season may be preparing you for future purpose "God uses physical places to shape spiritual people." "Stay awake in the pain with Me. I want to show you something." "Our environments shape us, but they don't define us. God uses them to form us." "The only environment humanity was originally designed for was perfect communion with God." God is intentional with place.Throughout Scripture, locations aren't simply settings—they're part of God's message. Gardens, mountains, deserts, rivers, and cities all carry spiritual significance. Your current environment is not wasted.Whether you're experiencing abundance or adversity, God often uses seasons and places to develop character, deepen faith, and prepare you for what's next. Pain can become purpose.Gethsemane reminds us that crushing often precedes calling. Jesus transformed the place of deepest surrender into the beginning of our redemption. Identity begins in God's presence.Like Adam and Eve in Eden, we were created for communion with God. Every longing we experience ultimately points us back to Him. Genesis 1–3 John 18 Psalm 23 Garden of Eden Garden of Gethsemane Where has God placed you in this season? What might He be teaching you through your current environment? Are there places in your story that you now recognize as sacred? How is God inviting you to remain awake and attentive instead of rushing through discomfort? What would change if you viewed your circumstances as part of God's formation process? Founder Collective exists to equip Christian entrepreneurs to build businesses rooted in Kingdom values while pursuing intimacy with Christ first. If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that God is present—even in the places that feel difficult. In This Episode, We Discuss:Memorable QuotesKey TakeawaysScripture MentionedReflection QuestionsConnect with Founder Collective

  5. Jun 23

    Ep. 143: Uncaged Leadership: Breaking Free from Autopilot and Stepping Into Your Calling

    In this Founder Encounter, leadership coach, author, and entrepreneur Lucas Sherraden shares a powerful message on breaking free from the cages that keep leaders stuck. Drawing from his experiences in ministry, entrepreneurship, real estate, and leadership development, Lucas challenges listeners to rethink how they view calling, success, wealth, and impact. Through personal stories, biblical insight, and practical leadership principles, he explores how many leaders unknowingly operate from autopilot thinking, limiting beliefs, and inherited narratives. The key to freedom, he argues, is learning to take ownership of the meaning we assign to life's experiences. This conversation is both challenging and encouraging for founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders who sense there is more available than the comfortable confines of certainty and mediocrity. Why many leaders remain trapped in invisible cages The difference between praying for change and partnering with God in action How faith and business can work together to create meaningful impact What the biblical concept of an apostle reveals about leadership today Why context matters more than circumstances The danger of autopilot thinking How limiting beliefs shape our decisions and outcomes Why greatness requires stepping beyond certainty The story that inspired The Uncaged Leader How to rewrite the narratives that are holding you back The leadership shift that changed Lucas's life and career forever Life constantly presents us with events, challenges, and circumstances. According to Lucas, the event itself is rarely the determining factor. What matters is the meaning we attach to it. The most effective leaders learn how to place empowering context around difficult circumstances rather than becoming victims of them. Lucas shares the story of a lion raised in captivity that was released into the wild, only to return to its cage. The familiar felt safer than freedom. Many leaders do the same thing. They remain inside familiar patterns, beliefs, and behaviors because certainty feels more comfortable than growth. One of the central themes of this conversation is that believers are called to bring heaven's culture into every sphere of influence, including business, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Rather than settling for "good enough," founders are challenged to pursue excellence and greater impact for the benefit of others. If we don't intentionally define our future, the world will gladly define it for us. Uncaged leaders choose to lead from vision rather than from fear, history, or circumstance. A pivotal moment in Lucas's journey came during a difficult season of financial struggle. Through an interaction with his daughter, he realized how much his internal dialogue was shaping his reality. That realization became the foundation for his work helping leaders recognize and rewrite the stories that keep them stuck. Leaders navigating transition or growth Professionals seeking greater impact and purpose Individuals interested in leadership development and mindset transformation The Uncaged Leader by Lucas Sherraden (Pre-order today!) The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis The Founder Collective exists to encourage, equip, and activate leaders who want to bring their faith into every area of influence. Through conversations, teaching, and community, founders are challenged to grow personally, lead courageously, and create lasting impact. Subscribe to The Founder Collective Podcast and share this episode with a leader who may be ready to step out of the cage and into the calling they've been created for. In This EpisodeKey Takeaways1. Great Leaders Create Meaning2. Comfort Can Become a Cage3. Your Calling Is Bigger Than Mediocrity4. Vision Must Be Intentional5. The Stories We Tell Ourselves MatterMemorable QuotesQuestions This Episode AnswersWho This Episode Is ForResources MentionedConnect with The Founder Collective

  6. May 26

    Ep. 142: Stop Hiding. Start Shining. How to Let Your Light Shine Online

    Episode Overview You know you're called. You know God put this business on your heart. But if no one can find you — are you really shining your light? This month's Founder Encounter brought together guest speaker Darin Adams, who works alongside the team at Thrive, to unpack something deeply practical and deeply spiritual at the same time: why so many faith-driven entrepreneurs are hiding online — and what to do about it. Tamara and Pastor Anthony rounded out the conversation with rich theological grounding, connecting the practical steps to God's call for His people to be a city on a hill. What started as a teaching on the five new rules for getting found online quickly became something more — a prophetic invitation to stop shrinking and start shining. Whether you're a business owner, author, podcaster, or marketplace leader, this session will give you tangible tools and a renewed sense of purpose for putting yourself out there. The marketplace has shifted — AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini are now the gatekeepers of discovery. Getting found starts with getting chosen by them. Your Google Business Profile is the new website. It's free, it's powerful, and most people haven't optimized it. Consistency across all your online listings builds trust with AI search engines — even if your customers never visit those platforms. Online reviews carry as much weight as personal referrals. Asking for them, and responding quickly, matters more than you think. Most businesses don't lose customers to competitors — they lose them to silence. The follow-up is where the business actually happens. Visibility is an act of stewardship. When God calls you to shine, hiding is not humility — it's disobedience. "Most businesses don't lose customers to competitors. They lose them to silence." — Darin Adams "Relationships start with visibility. If we are all hiding, we can't be in relationship." — Tamara "You're not answering to your customers to be the best business. You're answering to God for how you steward what He's called you to do." — Pastor Anthony Darin Adams is a business strategist and marketplace leader who works alongside the team at Thrive to help small business owners and entrepreneurs maximize their online presence. With a heart for integrating faith and business, Darin brings practical digital strategy tools together with a kingdom perspective — helping founders not just grow their businesses, but shine their light in the marketplace. His teaching centers on one conviction: what you do can change people's lives, but only if they can find you. Online Visibility Audit — run a free scan of your business: getthrivenow.com/ova Google Business Profile — business.google.com (free to set up) Thrive — business growth platform including social media scheduling, review management, website builder, and AI follow-up tools 2 Corinthians 5:16 — "From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh..." Matthew 5:14-16 — "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden..." Matthew 22:14 — "Many are called, but few are chosen." What happened in this room on a Thursday afternoon is just a taste of what God does when His people gather intentionally. FounderCon is our annual in-person conference where faith and business collide — deep teaching, genuine community, and encounters that stick with you long after you leave. FounderCon 2025 | Hampton Roads, Virginia | November Learn more and register at https://thefoundercollective.org/foundercon Key TakeawaysPull QuotesAbout the GuestResources MentionedJoin Us at FounderCon

  7. Apr 21

    Ep. 141: You Are a Miracle Worker: Dismantling Myths About the Supernatural with Jamal Maxsam

    In this powerful Founder Encounter session, prophetic leader, author, and leadership coach Jamal Maxsam joins host Tamara to dismantle six common myths that keep Christian entrepreneurs, founders, and marketplace leaders from walking in supernatural power. If you’ve ever wondered whether miracles are reserved for Sunday church services or believed that spiritual gifts only apply to ordained ministers, this episode will radically shift your perspective. Jamal unpacks what Scripture actually says about signs, wonders, and the glory of God — and why every believer is designed and equipped to operate in the miraculous, no matter their industry, platform, or season of life. Jamal Maxsam is a prophetic voice, author, leadership coach, and the host of a prophetic podcast and YouTube channel. Known for his deep prophetic ear and his commitment to equipping the saints rather than hoarding spiritual gifts, Jamal and his wife Dr. Val bring a ministry perspective rooted in Scripture, marketplace application, and Holy Spirit intimacy. He is a core intercessor and speaker within the Founder community. Why believers should stop praying for miracles to happen to them and start believing for miracles to happen through them The Greek meaning of “miracle” and how understanding it changes the way you pray Why ministry and marketplace are not separate in God’s eyes — and what Acts 5 says about signs and wonders in the streets The difference between the gift of miracles and the ability to operate in the miraculous How Paul’s tent-making tools became instruments of kingdom occupation and healing (Acts 19) Why the supernatural is not an event you rev up for — but an atmosphere you already live in The correct interpretation of Romans 3:23 and why you do not fall short of God’s glory How Jesus gave His glory to believers (John 17:22) and what Isaiah 60 says about the glory on your life Why not everything supernatural is demonic — and how to discern angelic activity How the glory realm, not just anointing, releases mass healing and breakthrough simultaneously Mark 16:17–18 — Signs follow those who believe Acts 1:8 — You will receive power (dunamis) when Holy Spirit comes upon you Acts 5:12–16 — Signs and wonders among the people; Peter’s shadow heals the sick Acts 19 — Extraordinary miracles through Paul; aprons and handkerchiefs carry healing 1 Corinthians 12:7–10 — Gifts of the Spirit distributed to each one for the common good John 11 — Lazarus raised from the dead; Jesus declares “I am the resurrection and the life” John 17:22 — Jesus gives His glory to believers Romans 3:23 — All have sinned and fall short (past tense, before Christ) Isaiah 60:1–2 — Arise and shine, for your light has come; the glory of the Lord has risen upon you Hebrews — Christ ascended and placed His blood on the heavenly altar; we come to the sprinkled blood Founder is a community built for Christian entrepreneurs, ministry leaders, and marketplace messengers who are done separating faith from business. Through monthly Founder Encounters, an annual conference, intercessory prayer, and a network of kingdom-minded leaders, Founder creates the space for sons and daughters to be equipped, encouraged, and sent. FounderCon 2025 — November 3–5 in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Get your tickets and learn more at the Founder website. Prophetic Podcast — Search “Jamal Maxsam” on your favorite podcast platform YouTube Channel — Search “Jamal Maxsam” for prophetic teaching and word releases Book — Referenced in episode; check Jamal’s website or Amazon for his published work

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Founder Collective Podcast is a monthly gathering of leaders, founders, and messengers committed to discipleship beyond the church walls. Through unfiltered conversations and Gospel-centered truth, listeners are equipped to live on mission, reach the lost, and step into their greatest Kingdom assignment.