Doing Good Better

Steve Kaloper

Our mission is simple: Serve you and your mission in Doing Good Better.

Episodes

  1. Sep 22

    THE SPRINT TO THE FINISH with Doug Cobb | Ep 4

    What if our generation could be the one that finishes the Great Commission? In this episode of Doing Good Better, Steve Kaloper sits down with longtime friend and Finishing Fund leader Doug Cobb for a powerful conversation about faith, generosity, stewardship, prayer, and the global mission to see the gospel reach every people group and every place. Doug shares his journey from a career in startups, venture capital, and private equity to dedicating the next chapter of his life to advancing the Great Commission. He reflects on the experiences that changed his perspective—including a transformational trip to West Africa—and how God used decades of business experience as preparation for a new mission. Steve and Doug explore the vision behind the Finishing Fund, the idea of “Mission to Zero,” and the three lanes of the Great Commission: every nation, every language, and every place. Doug also shares why he believes we may be closer than ever to completing the task—and why this generation has a unique opportunity to participate. In This Episode Doug’s journey from business and investing into global ministryThe trip to West Africa that transformed Doug’s perspectiveThe story behind the Finishing Fund and “Mission to Zero”How prayer became a central discipline in Doug’s lifeThe connection between generosity, stewardship, and spiritual growthThe three lanes of the Great CommissionWhy Doug describes his business career as a “35-year training program”The vision behind The End Shall Come and Sprint to the FinishThe progress being made toward reaching unreached people groupsWhy Doug believes the global church is entering a “sprint to the finish”Three ways anyone can participate: Pray. Give. Go.Quotes from the Episode “I wish I had said yes more, and I’m glad that I’ve said yes when I have.” “I can’t imagine anything I would rather be doing at this stage of my life than what I get to do.” “I had a really good business career... but comparatively, what I get to do now, it just doesn’t compare.” “I say after a 35-year training program in business, God led Doug to start the Finishing Fund.” “It would have been pretty cool to be part of that first generation and begin. But how much cooler would it be to be part of the last generation and finish?” “Everybody can pray. Many people can give. And then you should think about how you might go.” “We’ve been running for 2,000 years, but we only have a few years left to run.” “We are in what I think of as the sprint to the finish of the Great Commission race. And you don’t want to miss it. You want to be a part of this amazing finish. The Big Idea Doug’s challenge is simple: Pray. Give. Go. You don’t have to have a passport, a large bank account, or a particular title to participate. There is a role for everyone in the mission. The finish line may be closer than we realize. The question is: How will we respond?

  2. Aug 21

    ADOPTION IS AN OPTION | Ep 3

    What happens when you reach a point in life where you have everything you thought you wanted—and then God asks, “What’s next?” In this episode of Doing Good Better, Steve Kaloper sits down with John Knox, founder of Adoption Is an Option, for a deeply personal conversation about adoption, purpose, stewardship, and following a calling. John shares his remarkable story of being adopted, finding his birth parents later in life, and discovering the profound impact adoption had on his own life. He also explains how, after selling his company and recovering from a serious case of COVID in 2020, he intentionally stepped away from his career with no clear plan for what would come next. During a month-long journey of becoming “empty” and listening, John says God gave him four words: Adoption is an option. Those four words became a mission to change the cultural conversation around adoption and ensure that adoption is recognized as an important option for women facing unexpected pregnancies. John and Steve discuss the importance of honoring birth mothers, changing the language we use around adoption, engaging the medical community, and telling the stories of adopted people through the I Am That Kid movement. Most importantly, John shares what it looks like to go “all in” when you believe God has given you a mission. Key Takeaways 1. Sometimes you have to become empty before you can discover what's next. John intentionally stepped away from his career without knowing what his next chapter would look like. That openness created space for a new calling. 2. Adoption needs to be part of the conversation. John believes women facing unexpected pregnancies deserve to hear about all three difficult options available to them—including adoption. 3. Language matters. The words we use shape the way we think. John challenges the phrase “giving a child up for adoption” and encourages a greater understanding of the courage and selflessness involved in choosing adoption. 4. Our stories can become part of our mission. John's experience as an adopted child isn't simply part of his past. It's become a powerful reason for him to advocate for other children and birth mothers. About the John Knox: John Knox is the founder of Adoption Is an Option, a mission focused on bringing adoption back into the national conversation and helping change the way America understands adoption. John is also an adopted child himself. After spending decades building and selling companies in the insurance and surety industry, John entered a new season of life in 2020. What began as a season of stepping away from his career became the beginning of a new mission. Through Adoption Is an Option and I Am That Kid, John is working with organizations, medical professionals, churches, political leaders, and communities to elevate adoption and share the stories of people whose lives began through adoption. Connect: Learn more about John Knox and the work of Adoption Is an Option at Adoption.is. Discover stories and learn more about the I Am That Kid movement at IamThatKid.com. Listen If You Want to Learn… • How one man's adoption story became his life's mission. • What can happen when you intentionally make room for God's direction. • Why adoption deserves a stronger place in the cultural conversation. • How our language can influence culture. • The importance of honoring birth mothers. • What it really means to go “all in”.

  3. Jul 24

    From the American Dream to a Global Gospel Movement | Ep 2

    What happens when God interrupts what appears to be the perfect life? Steve Kaloper sits down with John Heerema, founder of Big Life, to discuss how God transformed a successful business owner into the leader of a global disciple-making movement reaching some of the world’s most difficult and least-reached places. John shares how reading about the 10/40 Window changed his perspective, why he unexpectedly faxed the Iranian Olympic Committee, and how that bold step led him to coach Iran’s Olympic baseball team. He also recounts the life-changing trip to India that reshaped Big Life’s strategy and revealed the importance of equipping local believers to reach and disciple their own communities. Their conversation explores obedience, prayer, fasting, persecution, indigenous leadership, and the growing hunger for Jesus across Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, South Asia, and the broader Middle East. John also shares stories of Muslims encountering Jesus through dreams, ministry among the global Deaf community, and why disciple-making is just as necessary in America as overseas. IN THIS EPISODE • How God disrupted what John believed was the “perfect life” • Why the 10/40 Window changed his understanding of missions • Coaching Iran’s Olympic baseball team as a ministry opportunity • Why Iran’s underground church continues to grow • The role of fasting and prayer in major decisions • Selling a successful business to pursue God’s calling • The encounter in India that transformed Big Life’s strategy • Why indigenous leaders are essential to sustainable ministry • Stories of faith and persecution from the Middle East and South Asia • Muslims encountering Jesus through dreams • Identifying unreached regions and multiplying churches • Ministry among Deaf communities around the world • Why the Great Commission begins in our neighborhoods MEMORABLE QUOTES “We thought we had the perfect life. Within days, the Lord shook us up and made us realize we were perfectly shallow.” “Every time your heart beats, someone dies without ever hearing the name of Jesus.” “As long as we’re in God’s will, we’re safer there than we are being disobedient at home.” “If we take care of the depth, the Lord will take care of the breadth.” “I read my Bible and go do it. I gain my understanding through my obedience.” “Delayed obedience is disobedience.” “Mission isn’t something that starts when you get off an airplane—it’s a lifestyle.” KEY TAKEAWAYS • God often redirects us when life feels most comfortable. • Obedience may come before complete understanding. • Disciple-making grows by empowering local believers. • Prayer and fasting are foundational to spiritual discernment. • Hardship and persecution can create extraordinary openness to the Gospel. • The Great Commission starts at home and extends to the nations. • Sustainable ministry makes disciples who reproduce disciples. ABOUT JOHN HEEREMA John Heerema is the founder of Big Life, a global ministry that equips believers to reach and disciple their own people for Jesus. What began with an opportunity to coach Iran’s Olympic baseball team has grown into a disciple-making movement spanning more than 180 countries. Big Life empowers indigenous leaders to establish healthy, multiplying churches in some of the world’s least-reached regions. CONNECT Learn more about Big Life, its global initiatives, prayer opportunities, and ways to support disciple-making at https://big.life

  4. Jun 26

    My #1 Partner In Doing Good | Ep 1

    Behind every mission is a story and often, a partner who made it possible. Steve & Shannon Kaloper on Family, Purpose, and Doing Good Better Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Doing Good Better Podcast. For this very first conversation, Steve is joined by the person who has been his greatest partner, encourager, and supporter throughout the journey—his wife, Shannon Kaloper. Together, Steve and Shannon reflect on nearly four decades of marriage, raising four children, pursuing individual callings, and building a life centered on faith, family, purpose, and service. From the early years of parenting on a small farm to mission trips around the world, this candid conversation offers wisdom, encouragement, and practical insights for anyone seeking to live a life of greater impact. In This Episode How Steve and Shannon met and built a life togetherThe joys and challenges of raising four childrenWhy Shannon believes the parenting years are too precious to wish awayFinding purpose and maintaining your identity in every season of lifeThe value of mentorship and learning from those who have gone before youMission trips, global experiences, and serving others as a familySupporting each other's dreams while pursuing a shared visionBuilding strong family relationships that last into adulthoodNavigating the transition to becoming empty nestersFinding joy, purpose, and new passions in every season Key Takeaways The strongest missions begin at home.Marriage thrives when both partners support one another's unique callings.Parenting is a short season that deserves intentionality and gratitude.Mentors can provide wisdom and perspective for every stage of life.Serving others starts in your own community and extends around the world.Lifelong learning, friendship, and personal growth don't stop with age.Choosing joy is a daily decision that shapes your life and relationships. Memorable Quote "The days are long, but the years are short. Don't wish those years away." — Shannon Kaloper About Doing Good Better The Doing Good Better Podcast explores stories, ideas, and conversations that inspire people to make a greater impact in the world. Through discussions with nonprofit leaders, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and everyday difference-makers, Steve Kaloper shares practical insights on living generously, leading with purpose, and doing good better. Connect Follow the podcast for future episodes featuring inspiring leaders, changemakers, and stories of impact from around the world. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

    My #1 Partner In Doing Good | Ep 1

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Our mission is simple: Serve you and your mission in Doing Good Better.