Productive Lives

Productive Lives

Life can be hard and we’ve all faced those moments that seem to stop us dead in our tracks. But what if those moments of difficulty—the 'bad news'—could actually be a springboard for something greater? I’m Cam Garven, and each week, I’ll bring you stories of extraordinary resilience and conversations about lives and ideas that are productive. This is The Productive Lives Podcast.

  1. 3d ago

    Don’t Retire, Re-Fire | Brad Robinson (Part 2)

    What if retirement isn't about sitting on a beach, but about taking everything you learned in your career and using it to serve a broken world? Former Coca-Cola VP of Supply Management Brad Robinson joins us for part two of our series to share his journey from managing global inventory to executing humanitarian missions in active global hot zones. It's an inspiring roadmap for anyone looking to make their next season of life their most productive yet. Things we talked about: Productive Lives Website: Connect with our frontline missions and discover how you can get involved in local and global servant leadership. Converge Gap Year: Learn about our 9-month program helping young adults discover their unique skills and apply them intentionally to community service. Serving Changes Everything: Grab Dr. Cam Garven's book to explore how trading a consumer mindset for a servant heart changes how you view your career and retirement.

    14 min

  2. Jun 22

    The Revolving Door | Brad Robinson (Part 1)

    If your family had to pack up and move to a brand-new city every two years, how would you adapt? For Brad and Connie Robinson, the answer was simple: you open your doors, fill the fridge with Coke products, and invite the neighborhood in. In Part 1 of this series, Cam Garven reunites with a longtime friend from his youth ministry days. Brad Robinson walks us through his journey from a non-Christian childhood in California to a faith-filled corporate career that took his family all over the map. We dive into the power of investing in the next generation, the lasting impact of youth pastors, and how a family home with a "revolving door" policy raised kids who grew up to dedicate their lives to public health and ministry. Things we talked about: Productive Lives: Learn more about our mission of people serving people and how you can join our local and global efforts. Converge Gap Year: Discover our 9-month program designed to help young adults build a foundation of servant leadership and intentional community. Serving Changes Everything: Grab Cam Garven’s book on how shifting from a transactional mindset to radical hospitality transforms your life. Studio D Podcast Production

    15 min

  3. Jun 15

    How to Choose Hope after Sudden Loss | Michele Cramp (Part 2)

    Grief isn't a straight line, and navigating life after losing your family requires a daily, intentional choice to survive. This week, we continue with the second half of our conversation with Michele Cramp. If you or someone you love is currently navigating a season of sudden loss, heartbreak, or overwhelming grief, Michele’s journey offers insight for finding light in the darkest valleys. "I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord." ~Psalms 40:1-3   Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Productive Lives: See how our community partners stand with families in crisis and learn more about our local initiatives. The Rock Ministries: The incredible Kensington-based ministry where Cam and Michele serve as street chaplains to those battling addiction and homelessness. Serving Changes Everything: Discover how dedicating your life to serving others becomes the ultimate catalyst for healing and purpose. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of self-harm, please call or text 988 for free, confidential support. Christopher Cramp Project Dash: Keeping the family legacy alive by meeting tangible needs and offering hope to those on the margins. Studio D Podcast Production

    13 min

  4. Jun 8

    Pure Love, Unimaginable Loss | Michele Cramp (Part 1)

    Sometimes, the unexpected moments in life completely stop us in our tracks. In part one of this deeply moving episode, we sit down with fellow Kensington street chaplain Michele Cramp. Michelle opens up about her family’s deep roots in the Bristol Borough community and shares about her heartbreaking events, when she tragically lost her sons, David and Thomas, and her former husband, Christopher, in a train accident. Michele walks us through the terrifying progression of that day—from what she thought was a routine family check-in to the devastating announcement at the police station. This is a raw, necessary look at mental health struggles, the cracks in the system, and a father and brother who ultimately made the ultimate sacrifice out of pure love to try and save one of their own. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Productive Lives: See how our community partners stand with families in crisis and learn more about our local initiatives. The Rock Ministries: The incredible Kensington-based ministry where Cam and Michele serve as street chaplains to those battling addiction and homelessness. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of self-harm, please call or text 988 for free, confidential support.

    12 min

  5. Jun 1

    The Epidemic of More

    We love to talk about physical health, but what happens when a spiritual disease is quietly ripping through the church from the inside out? In this episode, Dr. Cam Garven dives into Paul’s final warnings to Timothy about false teachers, greed, and the trap of chasing wealth. From a chaotic medical mission trip in the Dominican Republic to a heartbreaking, raw moment trying to pull a 19-year-old girl off the drug-plagued streets of Kensington, Cam strips away our comfortable Western illusions. It turns out, your biggest spiritual threat isn't what's happening outside the church walls—it’s the transactional, "what's-in-it-for-me" mindset hiding right inside them.   Project Mañana: The incredible organization we partner with in the Dominican Republic for medical clinics, clean water distribution, and education. Productive Lives: Find out how you can support our ongoing local outreach, food distributions, and recovery placement efforts in Kensington. Converge Gap Year: For young adults looking to break out of the cultural mold and build a foundation of true, content godliness. Serving Changes Everything: Dr. Cam Garven’s book on trading a transactional mindset for a life completely devoted to serving others.

    33 min

  6. May 25

    Redefining Kindness

    If you look at the news or scroll through social media, it’s clear that our world has a severe shortage of grace. But as Christians, are we actually offering a better alternative, or are we just trying to be polite? Join Dr. Cam Garven for a deep dive into Luke 6 as he looks at our modern, comfortable definitions of kindness. Cam shares why giving to receive isn't righteousness—it's just a business transaction. If you want to live an authentic, productive life that stops people dead in their tracks, it starts by trading predictable politeness for the fierce, unconditional kindness of God. (Sermon from 2024)  Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Productive Lives: Connect with our community and discover how we are putting radical kindness into practice on the ground. Converge Program: Ready to disrupt the status quo? Spend time with us in Philadelphia learning to live out a "Head, Hands, and Heart" faith. Serving Changes Everything: Grab Cam's book on why shifting from a transactional mindset to a servant lifestyle changes your entire world.

    33 min

  7. May 18

    Get Off Your Donkey

    Life rarely goes according to our 5-year plans. Whether it’s a job transition, a health scare, or a surprise bill in the mail, we all face "unexpected" moments that can either stop us cold or act as a springboard for something greater. In this episode, Dr. Cam Garven dives into two famous stories of Samaritans in the Bible to show us how Jesus constantly worked outside the "norm." From a simple act of tying a stranger's shoes in Kensington to cutting a neighbor's lawn, Cam challenges us to "get off our donkeys" and see the person on the side of the road who needs our help. (Sermon from 2023) Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Productive Lives: Discover how we are serving the Kensington community and how you can get involved. Converge Gap Year: A nine-month program in Philadelphia designed to help 18–24-year-olds find their next step. Get Off Your Donkey: The book by Reggie McNeil mentioned in Cam's teaching. One-Life Gap Year: The program mentioned that is helping students like Heather’s daughter find a new path.

    37 min

  8. May 11

    Finding Your SHAPE | Dr. Jim Ayers (Part 3)

    In the finale of our series with Dr. Jim Ayers, we’re traveling from the "black and white" of the page to the "living color" of the Holy Lands. Jim explains why standing on a rock in Israel changes the way you read the Bible and how he uses the SHAPE framework (Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experience) to help people find their lane. If you’ve ever felt like a "square peg in a round hole," Jim’s wisdom on becoming a uniquely wired ambassador for God is exactly what you need to hear. Grow Your Productive Life: ChurchWorks (JamesAyers.org): Head here to find Jim’s resources, info on his upcoming trips to Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, or to book him for consulting. Converge Gap Year: Ready to find your SHAPE? Spend nine months with us in Philly discovering your next step. Serving Changes Everything: My book on the heart of servant leadership—a great companion to Jim’s teaching. The Productive Lives Podcast: Thanks for following this series! Subscribe so you’re the first to hear our next story of resilience.

    16 min
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About

Life can be hard and we’ve all faced those moments that seem to stop us dead in our tracks. But what if those moments of difficulty—the 'bad news'—could actually be a springboard for something greater? I’m Cam Garven, and each week, I’ll bring you stories of extraordinary resilience and conversations about lives and ideas that are productive. This is The Productive Lives Podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    Productive Lives
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Productive Lives