The Called to Flourish Podcast

Robert Wachter
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The CALLED TO FLOURISH Podcast from Best Christian Workplaces equips and inspires Christian leaders to transform their workplaces into beacons of hope where faith comes alive, people and organizations flourish, and the Gospel shines through flourishing culture.

  1. Engagement Hit a 15-Year High. So Why Are 39% Still Disengaged? — Dr. Doug Waldo, Best Christian Workplaces

    1D AGO

    Engagement Hit a 15-Year High. So Why Are 39% Still Disengaged? — Dr. Doug Waldo, Best Christian Workplaces

    Employee engagement across Christian-led organizations has reached its highest level in 15 years. Yet nearly 4 in 10 employees still cannot bring their best to work each day. In this episode, Dr. Doug Waldo, Research Director and Senior Consultant at Best Christian Workplaces, explains what the 2026 State of the Christian Workplace Report reveals about trust in leadership, employee voice, and the organizational barriers that still limit engagement—and what leaders can do about them. You'll gain insight on: • why 61% engagement represents meaningful progress across Christian workplaces • how disengagement quietly reduces organizational capacity • the trust signals employees are looking for from leaders today • why giving staff a stronger voice improves engagement outcomes 👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at: https://workplaces.org/podcast/engagement-hit-a-15-year-high-so-why-are-39-still-disengaged

    27 min
  2. Diversity Isn't the Problem—Disconnection Is — Dr. James Borishade, Circle Urban Ministries

    MAY 4

    Diversity Isn't the Problem—Disconnection Is — Dr. James Borishade, Circle Urban Ministries

    Many leaders assume diversity creates tension on teams. But the deeper threat to engagement isn't difference—it's disconnection. In this episode, Dr. James Borishade of Circle Urban Ministries explains how leaders can create psychological safety across differences so teams remain unified around mission. He shares practical lessons on listening well, modeling humility, and repairing trust when leadership decisions unintentionally silence team voices. You'll gain insight on: • recognizing when withdrawal signals relational unsafety • inviting meaningful input before decisions are finalized • repairing trust through humility and accountability • creating space for diverse perspectives without losing alignment 👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at: https://workplaces.org/podcast/diversity-isnt-the-problem-disconnection-is

    33 min
  3. Ask for Feedback Before the Decision: How DiscipleMakers Built a 100th Percentile Ministry Culture — Peter Krol and Tom Hallman, DiscipleMakers

    APR 20

    Ask for Feedback Before the Decision: How DiscipleMakers Built a 100th Percentile Ministry Culture — Peter Krol and Tom Hallman, DiscipleMakers

    What happens when leaders invite feedback before decisions are finalized instead of after they're announced? In this episode of Called to Flourish, Peter Krol, President, and Tom Hallman, Vice President of DiscipleMakers, share how their ministry built one of the most engaged workplace cultures in their sector by creating clear rhythms of listening, collaboration, and shared ownership. Rather than relying on top-down decision-making, they developed practical ways for staff to contribute input early—strengthening alignment as the organization expanded from 11 to 26 campuses. Their experience offers a compelling model for ministry leaders who want to grow without losing mission clarity or cultural health. You'll gain insight on: • Why inviting feedback early strengthens trust across teams • How shared fundraising builds unity throughout an organization • How engagement surveys help leaders detect culture drift sooner • What it takes to scale ministry while protecting mission alignment 👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at: https://workplaces.org/podcast/ask-for-feedback-before-the-decision-how-disciplemakers-built-a-100th-percentile-ministry-culture

    31 min
  4. Data-Driven Leadership: How Facing the Truth About Culture Builds Trust and Strengthens Your Church — Brad Cooper, NewSpring Church

    APR 6

    Data-Driven Leadership: How Facing the Truth About Culture Builds Trust and Strengthens Your Church — Brad Cooper, NewSpring Church

    What happens when leaders stop guessing about culture and start listening to what their teams are actually experiencing? In this episode of Called to Flourish, Brad Cooper, Lead Pastor of Culture and Direction at NewSpring Church, shares how honest feedback and engagement surveys helped their leadership team face cultural blind spots, respond to a season of challenge, and build deeper trust across staff. Instead of relying on assumptions, they used data to clarify reality and strengthen alignment across the organization. This conversation offers practical insight for pastors and ministry leaders who want to build healthier teams through transparency, shared ownership, and intentional listening. You'll gain insight into: • Why facing the truth about culture is essential for building trust • How engagement surveys help leaders see what they might otherwise miss • What team-based leadership looks like in a healthy church culture • How consistent listening strengthens staff alignment over time 👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at: https://workplaces.org/podcast/data-driven-leadership-how-facing-the-truth-about-culture-builds-trust-and-strengthens-your-church

    30 min
  5. Forgiveness in the Workplace: How Leaders Build Trust and Heal Culture — Tara VanderSande, Best Christian Workplaces

    MAR 23

    Forgiveness in the Workplace: How Leaders Build Trust and Heal Culture — Tara VanderSande, Best Christian Workplaces

    What happens when unforgiveness quietly shapes your workplace culture? In this episode of Called to Flourish, Tara VanderSande, Senior Engagement and Talent Consultant at Best Christian Workplaces, explores why forgiveness is not just a personal spiritual practice—but a leadership discipline that directly impacts trust, innovation, and organizational health. Drawing from engagement survey data, Scripture, and real-world leadership experience, Tara explains how unresolved offenses create fear, secrecy, and disengagement within teams. This conversation offers practical and spiritual guidance for leaders who want to build cultures marked by humility, accountability, and freedom. You'll gain insight on: • How unforgiveness affects trust and collaboration • The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation • How leaders balance grace with accountability • Practical rhythms for building awareness and addressing offense 👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at: https://workplaces.org/podcast/forgiveness-in-the-workplace-how-leaders-build-trust-heal-culture-and-strengthen-teams

    35 min
  6. Fantastic Teams: Why Flourishing Is a "We," Not a "Me" — Jay Bransford, Best Christian Workplaces

    MAR 9

    Fantastic Teams: Why Flourishing Is a "We," Not a "Me" — Jay Bransford, Best Christian Workplaces

    Why do some teams flourish while others stall — even under strong leadership? In this episode of Called to Flourish, Jay Bransford, President & CEO of Best Christian Workplaces, explores why thriving cultures are built on unified teams aligned around shared mission and trust. Drawing from Scripture and decades of research-backed insight, Jay explains how fantastic teams handle conflict, cultivate psychological safety, and move from "me" thinking to "we" collaboration. This conversation offers practical and biblical clarity for leaders who want to build teams that accomplish more together than any individual could alone. You'll gain insight on: • Why flourishing was never designed to be a solo endeavor • How healthy teams handle conflict without losing trust • The leader's role in shaping collaboration and culture • Why unity multiplies organizational impact 👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at: https://workplaces.org/podcast/fantastic-teams-why-flourishing-is-a-we-not-a-me

    23 min
  7. Becoming the Kind of Leader People Want to Follow — Jim Brown, OrgHealth

    FEB 23

    Becoming the Kind of Leader People Want to Follow — Jim Brown, OrgHealth

    What makes people truly want to follow a leader — not out of obligation, but out of trust and belief? In this episode of Called to Flourish, Jim Brown, Founder of OrgHealth and leadership coach, challenges the myth of perfect leadership and shares why authenticity, humility, and curiosity are the real foundations of influence. Drawing from decades of coaching executives and leadership teams, Jim explains how trust deepens when leaders stop pretending, invite honest conversation, and prioritize people over image. This conversation offers practical wisdom for leaders who want to build cultures where trust grows and leadership becomes worth following. You'll gain insight on: • Why "perfect leadership" undermines trust • How vulnerability and authenticity strengthen influence • Why great leaders ask better questions instead of having all the answers • How healthy culture multiplies organizational performance 👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at: https://workplaces.org/podcast/becoming-the-kind-of-leader-people-want-to-follow

    39 min
  8. How ACSI Built a High-Trust Culture That People Want to Stay In — Dr. Larry Taylor, ACSI

    FEB 9

    How ACSI Built a High-Trust Culture That People Want to Stay In — Dr. Larry Taylor, ACSI

    What does it take to build a workplace culture where people genuinely trust leadership—and want to stay? In this episode of Called to Flourish, Dr. Larry Taylor, President & CEO of ACSI, shares how ACSI strengthened organizational trust through intentional listening, leadership transparency, and faith-centered culture practices. Larry offers practical insight on turning employee feedback into action, involving executive leadership, and sustaining long-term culture momentum. You'll gain insight on: • Why trust is foundational to a healthy workplace culture • How leaders can move from feedback to meaningful action • What it takes to sustain engagement over time • How faith-informed leadership shapes organizational health 👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at: https://workplaces.org/podcast/how-acsi-built-a-high-trust-culture-that-people-want-to-stay-in

    40 min
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The CALLED TO FLOURISH Podcast from Best Christian Workplaces equips and inspires Christian leaders to transform their workplaces into beacons of hope where faith comes alive, people and organizations flourish, and the Gospel shines through flourishing culture.

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