Work & Worldview

Jonathan D. Greene

Interviews about the intersection of values, beliefs, and work. What we believe shapes how we approach our work—and the work we do often challenges us to test, refine, and reinforce our beliefs. Work & Worldview is a long-form, human-to-human, interview-style podcast. You can expect to meet guests from a diverse set of backgrounds, industries, and experiences. It's a rich conversation and whatever your worldview, I hope you'll feel welcome and will join us. Work & Worldview is also on https://youtube.com/@workandworldview

Episodes

  1. Bringing Thought Leadership to Sell Side M&A • Kevon Saber • Work & Worldview #11

    DEC 20

    Bringing Thought Leadership to Sell Side M&A • Kevon Saber • Work & Worldview #11

    Serial entrepreneur Kevon Saber shares his journey from a values-driven upbringing focused on hard work and financial achievement to a profound transformation through faith. He discusses the evolution of his values, the impact of entrepreneurship, and the importance of integrity in the marketplace. Kevon emphasizes the significance of helping others, fostering family cohesion, and the joy of making a positive impact through his work at Legacy Outcomes. Contact Information & Business Links Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevonsaber/ Legacy Outcomes - Sell-Side M&A Website: https://legacyoutcomes.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/legacy-outcomes-sell-side-m-a/ Go Check Kids - Mobile Eye Exam App for Kids Website: https://www.gocheckkids.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gocheckkids/ MyBackHub “first democratized, non-operative solution for back pain” Website: https://mybackhub.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mybackhub/ Media References As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Therefore I earn a small commission on purchases from the following Amazon links - and every bit helps support this channel! Book: Choosing God’s Best: Wisdom for a Lifelong Romance by Ron Raunikar - "He spent 30-40 years counseling." (hardcover: https://amzn.to/3MFXY9o | paperback: https://amzn.to/3MJc2in | kindle: https://amzn.to/3KXgYj8 ) The 10 Drivers of Organizational Impact by Brett Johnson https://www.brettjohnson.biz/10-pmodel

    58 min
  2. Operating on Intuition and Finding Flow in Strategy • Alex M H Smith • Work & Worldview #10

    DEC 20

    Operating on Intuition and Finding Flow in Strategy • Alex M H Smith • Work & Worldview #10

    Brand and corporate strategist Alex M H Smith shares insights about his upbringing, values, and the journey that led him to become a contrarian thinker in the fields of advertising, marketing, and ultimately strategy. He discusses the challenges of defining personal values, the cultural observations he made during his time in America, and how his contrarian nature shaped his career path. Alex emphasizes the importance of intuition in strategy, the limitations of AI compared to human creativity, and the joy of finding flow in one’s being and work. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7OhSP3HFYNQ Alex M H Smith Contact Information & Links Website: https://basicarts.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-m-h-smith/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexMHSmith Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexmhsmith/ Book References As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Therefore I earn a small commission on purchases from the following Amazon links–and every bit helps support this channel! No Bullsh*t Strategy: A Founder’s Guide to Gaining Competitive Advantage with a Strategy That Actually Works By Alex M H Smith (paperback: https://amzn.to/4qbdzME | kindle: https://amzn.to/4qbdzME) Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim, Renée Mauborgne (hardcover: https://amzn.to/4rVjqaA | paperback: https://amzn.to/4pEzUlY) The Matter with Things: Our Brains, Our Delusions, and the Unmaking of the World by Ian McGilchrist (hardcover: https://amzn.to/48O8G5a | paperback: https://amzn.to/48O8G5a) Video Reference Short video of Rory Sutherland on post-rationalization: Why Creativity Embraces Contradiction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itgpxtauJyY&t=37s

    58 min
  3. Gathering Values that Shape Success • Casey Bickhardt • Work & Worldview Podcast #07

    NOV 13

    Gathering Values that Shape Success • Casey Bickhardt • Work & Worldview Podcast #07

    In this episode, Casey Bickhardt, CEO of GEMCO Mixers and Advanced Powder Solutions, shares her journey from childhood values to leading two companies. She discusses the importance of hard work, accountability, and curiosity in leadership. Casey reflects on the challenges faced during economic downturns and emphasizes the significance of stakeholder engagement and core values in decision-making. Her experiences highlight how personal growth and adaptability are essential in navigating the complexities of business leadership. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Casey Bickhardt and Her Companies 02:15 Values growing up 04:43 Childhood Value • Learning from the Ground Up 06:01 Childhood Value • Process Planning and Efficiency 06:24 Childhood Value • Time Value of Money and Planning 07:49 Childhood Value • Service & Giving Back 08:17 Rules and their interpretations 09:40 Work, Values, and Differing Interpretations of Rules 10:47 Humility and Curiosity Yield Tools to Motivate Others 12:45 Curiosity and the 'Infinitely Curious' 13:23 The Family Business 16:38 Transition to CEO • Just before a CGMP Audit! 18:09 Working Two Shifts & Building Processes and Procedures from Scratch 18:59 Work Ethic + Ambition + Drive 19:33 Lessons Learned • Night Shifts, Deep Holes, Automation, and Faith 20:33 Increased responsibility increases faith 22:35 Managing Two Companies: The Journey Continues 24:14 Purchasing • Brings Insights about Processes, Parts & Manufacturing 25:29 Engineering • Leads to inquiring about engineering practices and reasoning 26:16 Cost Engineering • Informed by Hands-On APS Experience 26:48 Quality Feedback • APS Provides to Gemco 28:07 Sales • Cumulative Experiences Open Doors to Customers 31:23 Deep Experience Leads to Insightful Leadership and Orchestration 32:16 APS Challenge and Cold Call Selling 36:17 GEMCO's Core Values & Decision Making 36:52 Corporate Value • Stakeholder Awareness & Understanding Expectations 37:06 Corporate Value • Accountable 37:13 Corporate Values • Dependable 37:23 Corporate Value • Clearness and 'Speak Up' Leads to Unanimity 39:52 Corporate Value • Stakeholder-Driven Decision Process Affords Resilience 41:12 Corporate Value • Hiring Learners Who Foster Collaboration 41:58 Corporate Value • Understanding the Economics Affecting Capital Equipment Purchasing 44:25 Closing • Contact Information 45:01 Close Links to Casey Bickhardt’s Contact and Companies https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-bickhardt-9713005/ https://okgemco.com https://advancedpowdersolutions.com Special Thanks Shout out to Carrie Greene of Four Smart Girls, LLC (https://foursmartgirls.com/) for suggesting this episode's guest Casey Bickhardt. https://workandworldview.com keywords Casey Bickhardt, GEMCO Mixers, Advanced Powder Solutions, leadership, values, business challenges, stakeholder engagement, economic impact, personal growth, curiosity

    52 min
  4. Breaking Convention to Better Serve Financial Services Clients • Mike Hilmes • Work & Worldview Podcast #06

    OCT 29

    Breaking Convention to Better Serve Financial Services Clients • Mike Hilmes • Work & Worldview Podcast #06

    In this episode, Financial Coach and Tax Strategist Mike Hilmes shares his journey from a values-driven upbringing in a Catholic home to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the financial services industry. He discusses the importance of recognizing hypocrisy in values, the challenges of starting his own business, and the evolution of his services to provide a holistic approach to financial planning. Mike emphasizes the significance of client relationships, the impact of his family legacy, and the role of faith in guiding his business decisions. He critiques the industry for its reactive nature and highlights the need for proactive financial planning. Ultimately, Mike's drive to help others stems from his desire to create lasting change and empower clients to achieve their financial goals. Chapters 00:00 Foundations of Values and Early Influences 03:24 Navigating College and Career Aspirations 05:27 The Journey to Entrepreneurship 07:11 Overcoming Doubts and Embracing Vision 08:27 Realizations About the CPA Role 09:51 The Progression of Vision Over Time 10:46 Growing Tension between Vision & Innovation and Fear & Security 13:59 The Start of Kingdom Financial 16:21 Kingdom Financial also addressing personal finances 19:01 The Drive to Help Others 22:07 Finding Purpose in Adversity 23:34 Seeing the opportunity God presents in struggles 25:13 Mike's Zone of Genius 26:04 Massive Business Growth leads to a Major Business Pivot 27:54 The Evolution of Kingdom Financial 28:51 Success Leads to Virtual CFO Line of Business 30:13 Holistic Financial Strategies for Clients 31:38 The Elephant Analogy: Understanding Financial Complexity 33:25 Proactive Financial Management: Windshield vs Rear-View 37:04 Identifying Client Pain Points 38:49 Differentiating in the Accounting Industry 39:37 Unicorn in Breadth to Serve Clients at a Higher Level 40:12 Green & Growing or Ripe & Rotten 44:07 Be a Blessing 46:45 The Drive to Serve and Help Others 52:28 Engaging with Entrepreneurial Clients 55:13 Closing Links to Mike Hilmes' firm Kingdom Financial Strategy https://www.kingdomfinancialstrategy.... / kingdom-financial-llc Special Thanks Shout out to Anita Toth of Hidden Revenue Hunters (https://hiddenrev.com/) for the introduction to this episode's guest Mike Hilmes. https://workandworldview.com

    55 min
  5. Reconceptualizing Architecture, Buildings & Design • Andrey Hodkevich • Work & Worldview Podcast #05

    OCT 22

    Reconceptualizing Architecture, Buildings & Design • Andrey Hodkevich • Work & Worldview Podcast #05

    In this episode, Andrey Hodkevich, an architect from Sofia, Bulgaria, shares insights into his upbringing, the values instilled in him, and how they shaped his approach to architecture. He emphasizes the importance of honesty, curiosity, and the balance between creativity and constraints in architectural design. Andrey discusses the evolution of architecture in the context of the information revolution and the potential of AI to transform the field. He also explores the concept of immaterial architecture and the role of museums as cultural symbols. Throughout the discussion, he highlights the need for architects to remain adaptable and open-minded in a rapidly changing world. Chapters 00:00 Foundations of Honesty: Early Values 03:38 The path to Architecture 07:52 Balancing Constraints: The Architect's Challenge 10:05 Ideation 14:52 Conceptualization 17:54 Architectural form or form of architecture? Immateriality 19:15 Museums as a Conceptual Device for Immaterial Buildings (shape vs state) 23:30 Functional Layers of Architecture - Considered Independently 28:45 Recomposing Layers 31:28 Balancing Client Needs and Creative Vision 31:55 A building as a character 37:21 Information Pollution and Its Impact on Architecture 40:04 The Future of Architecture in the Age of AI 52:33 Honesty in Architecture: Materiality and Function 56:04 Close Links to Andrey's Firm Studio HORA https://www.studio-hora.com/ https://www.instagram.com/studio_ho_ra/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ho-ra/ Special Thanks Shout out to Pia Schuschies, Leadership Coach at (https://pia-schuschies.com/) for the introduction to this episode's guest Andrey Hodkevich. Thanks for connecting us Pia! https://workandworldview.com

    56 min
  6. Pursuing Biblical Understanding Grows into a Podcast • Cassian Bellino • Work & Worldview Podcast #04

    OCT 15

    Pursuing Biblical Understanding Grows into a Podcast • Cassian Bellino • Work & Worldview Podcast #04

    In this episode, podcast host Cassian Bellino shares her journey of faith, emphasizing the importance of honesty and humility. She discusses how her values have evolved over time, particularly through her experiences living abroad and engaging with diverse communities. The conversation delves into the significance of understanding scripture in context, the role of podcasting in exploring faith, and the transformative power of personal experiences. Cassian also highlights the importance of creating safe spaces for dialogue about beliefs and integrating faith into everyday life, especially in professional settings. Chapters 00:00 Exploring Values and Honesty in Faith 02:51 The Journey of Faith and Self-Discovery 05:39 Understanding Biblical Interpretation: Isogetical vs. Exegetical 08:36 Engaging with Scholars and Theological Growth 11:30 The Impact of Recent Guests and Their Insights 14:01 The Bleeding Woman: A Deeper Understanding of Faith 16:57 Jesus: The Restorer of Life and Faith 19:37 Current Journey and Future Directions 22:12 Creating Community and Support 22:36 The Journey of Podcasting 23:23 Transformation Through Faith 24:57 Public vs. Private Faith 26:14 Changing Heart Posture 28:05 Integrating Faith in Daily Life 29:54 Overcoming Cultural Stigmas 32:06 Faith in the Workplace 34:13 God's Guidance in Career Choices 37:05 The Power of Fasting 39:43 Podcasting with Purpose Links https://www.bibspeak.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thisisbiblicallyspeaking/ https://workandworldview.com

    45 min
  7. Producing & Recording Music • Academy & Grammy-Award Winner Robert L. Smith • Work & Worldview #01

    OCT 9

    Producing & Recording Music • Academy & Grammy-Award Winner Robert L. Smith • Work & Worldview #01

    In this episode, Grammy-winning music producer and engineer Robert L Smith discusses his journey from his early influences and experiences in recording through his 39-year professional career in New York City. Robert has worked with leading artists such as Paul McCartney, U2, Lady Gaga and more. The discussion covers the evolution of music formats, the creative process behind mixing and producing, and some of his collaborations with iconic artists. The producer shares insights on the music industry, the significance of sound design, and the role of space in music production. In this engaging conversation, the speakers shares some of his experiences in music production, highlighting the artistry and collaboration involved in capturing musical performances. Robert reflects on his work with legendary jazz musicians, the emotional vulnerability required in the studio, and the importance of trust in the creative process. The discussion also touches on the lessons learned from various recording sessions, the integrity required in the industry, and the journey of writing a book about his experiences. Chapters 00:00 The Journey Begins: From Starting Out to Soundscapes 02:00 Growing Up with Music: Influences and Inspirations 06:13 Increasing love for music 09:03 Broadening Musical Influences 11:15 Learning about the roles in the studio 15:16 Parents' Musical Interests 17:54 The Evolution of Music Formats: From Vinyl to CDs 21:11 The Creative Process: Understanding Hits and Misses 23:57 The Role of Space in Music: A Producer's Perspective 27:00 Reflections on Collaboration: Working with Iconic Artists 44:34 Use of Space 46:28 Capturing Musical Mastery 49:41 Collaborating with Jazz Legends 54:16 Experiences with Iconic Musicians 56:10 The Co-Creation Process 01:07:29 The Role of Trust in Collaboration 01:13:58 A Book, and Integrity in Music Production 01:17:26 Moral Compass in the Industry 01:27:25 The Journey of Writing a Book 01:30:47 Speaking Tour Links https://defyrecordings.com/ https://www.instagram.com/defyrecordings/ https://workandworldview.com

    1h 37m
  8. Overcoming Challenges Leads to Coaching & Strength Training • Becca Biedler • Work & Worldview #03

    OCT 9

    Overcoming Challenges Leads to Coaching & Strength Training • Becca Biedler • Work & Worldview #03

    In this episode, strength and conditioning coach Becca Biedler shares her journey from a close-knit family background to becoming a fitness expert. She discusses the importance of autonomy in personal growth, the role of neuroplasticity in learning, and her experiences with weight loss and cancer. Becca emphasizes the significance of strength training, especially for older adults, and the need for inclusivity in fitness. She also highlights the differences in learning between children and adults, and how her business aims to make strength training accessible to everyone. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Becca Biedler 04:11 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Autonomy 05:52 Bodily Autonomy 06:30 Education and Neuroplasticity 09:15 Overcoming Challenges: Weight Loss 12:14 Overcoming Challenges: Cancer 13:56 New Challenge: Training 15:57 Learning Patterns in Children and Adults 17:26 Business: ID Fit - Instructional Design for Fitness 18:53 Understanding Muscle Health Across Ages 20:10 The Importance of Resistance Training 21:50 Accessible Strength Pilot Class 27:35 Becca on Coaching 28:21 Coaching Benefits: Dialog, Understanding, and Feedback 28:48 Coaching: Form and Programming 30:22 Coaching: Becca's Motivation to Focus on Older Adults 31:59 Important Signals You Need to Engage in Fitness Training 34:21 Recognizing Signs of Declining Strength 35:59 Becca's Offerings 37:19 Coaching for Inclusivity and Accessibility Links https://www.idfitprograms.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lift_run_yoga_with_becca https://workandworldview.com/

    39 min
  9. Improving Engine Efficiency/Building Agricultural Machines • Inventor Michael • Work & Worldview #02

    OCT 9

    Improving Engine Efficiency/Building Agricultural Machines • Inventor Michael • Work & Worldview #02

    In this episode, Inventor Michael shares his journey from a challenging childhood to becoming an innovative inventor focused on solving global issues through technology. He discusses his early influences, the development of CleanTech, and the importance of root cause analysis in addressing poverty and fuel problems. Michael elaborates on his transition to agriculture, particularly mushroom farming, and introduces the concept of MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) as a means to provide healthy food options. He emphasizes community engagement and outlines his future plans for expanding his initiatives. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Inventor Michael 02:32 Early Life and Influences 03:09 The Path to Invention via Two Skills 05:06 Founding Clean Tech Solutions 06:43 Root Cause Analysis of Suffering 09:05 Fuel as the Underlying Problem 10:09 The Physics of Combustion 11:30 The Journey of the Invention 13:57 Challenges and Setbacks 14:53 The Wayfinder's Paradox 16:57 An Agricultural Solution 18:34 Innovating with Semi Trailers 22:37 Transition to Culinary Mushrooms 25:18 Challenges of Starting a Culinary Mushroom Business 26:52 Manufacturing Agricultural Machines 28:56 Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Farming 31:31 The Sales Challenge Dilemma 35:04 The MRE Concept: A New Approach to Distribution 36:45 About the Mushroom Farm Units 42:17 Future Investments and Co-op Opportunities Links https://www.cleantecsystems.com/ https://www.instagram.com/inventor_michael/ https://linktr.ee/InventorMichael https://workandworldview.com

    44 min

About

Interviews about the intersection of values, beliefs, and work. What we believe shapes how we approach our work—and the work we do often challenges us to test, refine, and reinforce our beliefs. Work & Worldview is a long-form, human-to-human, interview-style podcast. You can expect to meet guests from a diverse set of backgrounds, industries, and experiences. It's a rich conversation and whatever your worldview, I hope you'll feel welcome and will join us. Work & Worldview is also on https://youtube.com/@workandworldview