The Guidelight

Jason Trent

The Guidelight — Hosted by Jason Trent The Guidelight is for leaders like you — business owners, presidents, and CEOs who’ve built something remarkable and are now asking, “What’s next?” Hosted by Jason Trent, each episode dives beyond the spreadsheets to explore what truly matters when selling, scaling, or reshaping your company — your people, your purpose, and your next chapter. You’ll hear real stories and expert insights from those who’ve stood where you are, uncovering how to protect what you’ve built while stepping confidently into the future with clarity and peace of mind. If your company’s EBITDA is between $2 and $10 million, this is your space to gain perspective that goes far beyond the deal. Because your next chapter matters just as much as the one you’ve built. 🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead with Light.

  1. Aug 18

    Finding Your True Identity in Christ: Breaking Free From Performance-Based Living with Michael Bartlett

    For more than 30 years, Michael Bartlett had been following Christ. He had been born again as a child, served in ministry, taught pastors, and helped teenagers wrestle with identity. And still, at 41, something had not clicked. Then one truth finally did: he was trying to become something he already was. In this episode of The Guidelight, Michael and I talk about what changed when he stopped building identity around performance and started seeing himself the way God sees him. That is the tension at the center of Christian identity. We are conditioned to ask, What do you do? How did you perform? What do other people think? Michael names three false places we keep reaching for identity: relationships, abilities, and worth measured by what we have. But identity in Christ works differently. It is not something we achieve. It is something we receive, reckon as true, and renew our minds around. Romans 12:2, Ephesians 1, and the freedom Michael found in Christ all point back to the same invitation: let God define you. This one may expose how quietly performance has been naming you. Tune in to the full episode and ask the Holy Spirit to show you where approval, ability, achievement, or possessions are still defining you more than Christ is. Michael Bartlett is also known as Pastor B, a longtime pastor and ministry leader whose own journey with identity in Christ became personal in his early 40s. He became a Christ follower as a child, later served as a youth pastor and family pastor, and found himself helping teenagers understand who they were while realizing he had not fully understood who he was in Christ. His journey has been shaped by Dr. Charles Solomon's exchanged life teaching and Neil Anderson's Freedom in Christ. Michael has taught these truths to teenagers and pastors, and in this conversation he shares the freedom that came when he stopped measuring identity by performance and began letting God define who he already was in Christ. Connect With Pastor Michael: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.bartlett.33/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-bartlett-57a8a347/ Jason Trent is the host of The Guidelight Podcast and the founder of Guidelight Legacy Advisors. The Guidelight is a discipleship platform for the awake heart — the man or woman in any seat, at any income, in any season whose soul has started asking questions their circumstances can't answer. Jason walks listeners through the Seven Guidelight Pathways — Purpose, Identity, Inner Battle, Wisdom, Covenant, Stewardship, Legacy — toward wholeness: shalom, nothing missing. He has lived on both sides of the fence — lack and abundance — and speaks to both without pandering to either. He lives with his wife Kellie and their youngest, Sadie, on a small homestead in Brevard, North Carolina. Acts 20:24 is the verse his life is built around. Grace and peace. Connect with Jason Trent:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-jason/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/guidelight-insurance/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Guidelight/61575862355860/  Stay Connected. Stay Inspired. Let’s build deeper, stronger relationships—one meaningful connection at a time. 👉 Explore all things JTrent Connect: linktr.ee/JTrentConnect

  2. Aug 11

    The Picture You've Been Building: Identity in Christ

    I achieved a lot, but I never felt like I arrived. For years, I pursued the picture of success I saw around me: wins, awards, a stronger bank account, a bigger team, and the next achievement. Some good came from that work, but every level seemed to reveal another one. The picture kept getting bigger, and it still could not tell me who I was. In this episode of The Guidelight, we step into Pathway Two: Identity. I share what changed when God showed me the three needs He built into every soul: security, acceptance, and significance. I had been asking work, achievement, approval, and other people to supply what I already had in Christ. When those sources became the foundation, pride rose when things went well and shame tried to keep my head down when they did not. This one became deeply personal for me. I tell the story of a quiet moment when the Holy Spirit spoke, “Jason, you are accepted,” and moved truth from my head into a place in my heart that needed healing. Tune in to the full episode and ask God which picture you have been building, where shame has been speaking, and whether your life reflects the image you were created to bear. Jason Trent is the host of The Guidelight Podcast and the founder of Guidelight Legacy Advisors. The Guidelight is a discipleship platform for the awake heart — the man or woman in any seat, at any income, in any season whose soul has started asking questions their circumstances can't answer. Jason walks listeners through the Seven Guidelight Pathways — Purpose, Identity, Inner Battle, Wisdom, Covenant, Stewardship, Legacy — toward wholeness: shalom, nothing missing. He has lived on both sides of the fence — lack and abundance — and speaks to both without pandering to either. He lives with his wife Kellie and their youngest, Sadie, on a small homestead in Brevard, North Carolina. Acts 20:24 is the verse his life is built around. Grace and peace. Connect with Jason Trent:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-jason/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/guidelight-insurance/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Guidelight/61575862355860/  Stay Connected. Stay Inspired. Let’s build deeper, stronger relationships—one meaningful connection at a time. 👉 Explore all things JTrent Connect: linktr.ee/JTrentConnect

  3. Jul 7

    Finding Purpose in Every Minute

    There are 1,440 minutes every day. Every person reading this, regardless of season, circumstance, or calling, wakes up to the exact same number. In this episode of The Guidelight, the question that won't leave me alone is how many of them I actually show up for, not just move through, but show up for. Present. Expectant. Awake to what God might be doing right there in that ordinary, unremarkable moment. Your purpose isn't waiting at the finish line. It's already here, threaded through every minute of the day, the small wins, hard conversations, drudgery, and joy. Paul calls it kairos in Ephesians 5:16. Not just time passing, but time loaded with opportunity. God is in all 1,440 of them. The question is whether we're paying attention. This one will quietly rearrange how you move through your day. Tune in to the full episode and ask the Holy Spirit to wake you up to the minutes you've been skipping past.  Jason Trent is the host of The Guidelight Podcast and the founder of Guidelight Legacy Advisors. The Guidelight is a discipleship platform for the awake heart — the man or woman in any seat, at any income, in any season whose soul has started asking questions their circumstances can't answer. Jason walks listeners through the Seven Guidelight Pathways — Purpose, Identity, Inner Battle, Wisdom, Covenant, Stewardship, Legacy — toward wholeness: shalom, nothing missing. He has lived on both sides of the fence — lack and abundance — and speaks to both without pandering to either. He lives with his wife Kellie and their youngest, Sadie, on a small homestead in Brevard, North Carolina. Acts 20:24 is the verse his life is built around. Grace and peace. Connect with Jason Trent:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-jason/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/guidelight-insurance/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Guidelight/61575862355860/  Stay Connected. Stay Inspired. Let’s build deeper, stronger relationships—one meaningful connection at a time. 👉 Explore all things JTrent Connect: linktr.ee/JTrentConnect

  4. Jun 30

    How to Find God’s Purpose Through Your Identity in Christ

    The life God calls you to build begins with who you are, not just what you do. In this episode of The Guidelight, I explain why purpose isn't found by filling your calendar or checking more boxes. It begins with your identity in Christ. When we focus on doing before being, we often run ahead of God. But when we remain close to Him, our work flows from a place of peace, purpose, and lasting impact. I reflect on the difference between striving and surrender, drawing from Scripture and lessons that have continually brought me back to what matters most. I talk about what it means to be God's workmanship, why intimacy with Him shapes every assignment, and how the Holy Spirit guides us into the good works He has already prepared.   If you're feeling busy but unfulfilled, or successful but still searching for deeper meaning, this conversation will help you realign your heart before your hands.   Before you ask God what He wants you to do, ask Him who He is shaping you to become. Tune in to this episode. Jason Trent is the host of The Guidelight Podcast and the founder of Guidelight Legacy Advisors. The Guidelight is a discipleship platform for the awake heart — the man or woman in any seat, at any income, in any season whose soul has started asking questions their circumstances can't answer. Jason walks listeners through the Seven Guidelight Pathways — Purpose, Identity, Inner Battle, Wisdom, Covenant, Stewardship, Legacy — toward wholeness: shalom, nothing missing. He has lived on both sides of the fence — lack and abundance — and speaks to both without pandering to either. He lives with his wife Kellie and their youngest, Sadie, on a small homestead in Brevard, North Carolina. Acts 20:24 is the verse his life is built around. Grace and peace. Connect with Jason Trent:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-jason/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/guidelight-insurance/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Guidelight/61575862355860/  Stay Connected. Stay Inspired. Let’s build deeper, stronger relationships—one meaningful connection at a time. 👉 Explore all things JTrent Connect: linktr.ee/JTrentConnect

  5. Jun 23

    Known by Our Love: Love First, Speak Second

    The most powerful way to share your faith may not start with your words. It may start with your love. In this episode of The Guidelight, I share one of the most important lessons God has taught me about purpose, influence, and the Great Commission. Too often, we drift into one of two extremes which are leading with an agenda or staying silent when love calls us to speak.   Through personal stories, hard-earned lessons, and moments where God completely changed my perspective, I share why real impact begins with listening to the Holy Spirit and genuinely caring for the person in front of you. When people experience authentic love, trust grows, walls come down, and hearts become open to what God wants to do. I also share a deeply personal story about my father and how God showed me that sometimes the greatest act of faith is showing up, being present, and loving someone without an agenda. If you're trying to live out your purpose, influence others well, and reflect Christ in your everyday life, this conversation will challenge you to see people differently. Tune in to this episode and learn why the people who leave the greatest impact are often the ones who love first and speak second.  Jason Trent is the president of Highstreet Guidelight Insurance, founder of Guidelight Legacy Advisors, and host of The Guidelight Podcast. With over 25 years of experience in insurance and risk management, Jason is passionate about helping leaders build stronger businesses and enduring legacies. His mission is to merge faith, strategy, and innovation guiding teams to grow not just in profit, but in purpose. As a mentor and community advocate, he champions connection and clarity in an age of digital noise. Through his work and podcast, Jason inspires others to align their growth with values that truly matter.  Connect with Jason Trent: Website: https://www.hsip.com/agency-directory/guidelight-insurance   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-jason/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/guidelight-insurance/     Instagram:     X: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guidelight-insurance/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Guidelight/61575862355860/    Stay Connected. Stay Inspired. Let’s build deeper, stronger relationships—one meaningful connection at a time. 👉 Explore all things JTrent Connect: linktr.ee/JTrentConnect

  6. Jun 16

    Why God Uses Thorns to Reveal Your Purpose

    The challenge you're facing today may be pointing you toward the purpose God has prepared for you. In this episode of The Guidelight, I reflect on the connection between the Garden of Eden, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the thorns that show up in our everyday lives. The challenges we face at work, in leadership, in relationships, and in our calling may be the very things God uses to shape it. I share how easy it is to seek shortcuts, comfort, and control, only to realize that true purpose grows when we surrender our plans and trust God's. When we stop asking, "How does this affect me?" and start asking, "How does this glorify Him?" even the thorns begin to look different.  Sometimes the clearest sign you're on the right path is the very resistance you're trying to avoid. Before you ask God to remove the thorn, ask what He might be revealing through it. Tune in now and learn how purpose often grows in the places where faith is stretched the most.  Jason Trent is the president of Highstreet Guidelight Insurance, founder of Guidelight Legacy Advisors, and host of The Guidelight Podcast. With over 25 years of experience in insurance and risk management, Jason is passionate about helping leaders build stronger businesses and enduring legacies. His mission is to merge faith, strategy, and innovation guiding teams to grow not just in profit, but in purpose. As a mentor and community advocate, he champions connection and clarity in an age of digital noise. Through his work and podcast, Jason inspires others to align their growth with values that truly matter.  Connect with Jason Trent: Website: https://www.hsip.com/agency-directory/guidelight-insurance   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-jason/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/guidelight-insurance/     Instagram:     X: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guidelight-insurance/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Guidelight/61575862355860/    Stay Connected. Stay Inspired. Let’s build deeper, stronger relationships—one meaningful connection at a time. 👉 Explore all things JTrent Connect: linktr.ee/JTrentConnect

  7. May 5

    Love That Remains: A Mother’s Legacy Through Generations

    Love grows stronger with every generation it touches. In this special episode of The GuideLight, I honor three women who shaped my life and leadership: my mom, mother-in-law, and wife. Their lives show what love that carries forward through people.  I share how a single mom’s sacrifice built a foundation of grace that still shapes me today. I reflect on a mother-in-law whose welcoming spirit and steady encouragement expanded how I see life and possibility. I open up about my wife’s selfless, faithful love. It challenged, refined, and taught me what it truly means to lead, serve, and love well.  This episode is about understanding legacy, influence, and the quiet power of faith lived out daily. The small, consistent acts of love are what shape families, strengthen leaders, and build something that outlasts us. If you’re building a life, a family, or a message that you want to carry beyond you, this conversation will remind you what truly matters. Take a moment, tune in, and reflect on the women who shaped your story. Then go live it out by honoring them. Jason Trent is the president of Highstreet Guidelight Insurance, founder of Guidelight Legacy Advisors, and host of The Guidelight Podcast. With over 25 years of experience in insurance and risk management, Jason is passionate about helping leaders build stronger businesses and enduring legacies. His mission is to merge faith, strategy, and innovation guiding teams to grow not just in profit, but in purpose. As a mentor and community advocate, he champions connection and clarity in an age of digital noise. Through his work and podcast, Jason inspires others to align their growth with values that truly matter.  Connect with Jason Trent: Website: https://www.hsip.com/agency-directory/guidelight-insurance   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-jason/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/guidelight-insurance/     Instagram:     X: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guidelight-insurance/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Guidelight/61575862355860/    Stay Connected. Stay Inspired. Let’s build deeper, stronger relationships—one meaningful connection at a time. 👉 Explore all things JTrent Connect: linktr.ee/JTrentConnect

  8. Apr 28

    What Is Enough? Rethinking Wealth, Faith, and Generosity

    Most Christ-following business owners say God owns it all. But when the wire transfer clears after a business sale, that's where belief meets the wheelbarrow. In this episode, Jay Mink, Director of Outreach at National Christian Foundation, Carolinas, walks alongside some of the most generous people in the country and sees exactly what happens when faith gets that real. Jay breaks down the difference between a standard of living and a standard of giving, explains why the depth of our generosity is tied directly to its object, and points to finishlinepledge.com, a tool that helps you set a real financial finish line with God. I also share a story from my own farm that stopped me cold: a man with almost nothing who gave nearly everything away, and why it convicted me more than any sermon. Tune in to this episode of The Guidelight, grab a notebook, and let God into that conversation. It might be the most important financial decision you make this year. Jay Mink is the Director of Outreach at National Christian Foundation, Carolinas, where he helps business owners and families align their financial decisions with lasting impact. With over 20 years of leadership in marketing and growth strategy, Jay has worked closely with founders and advisors navigating complex transitions. He specializes in guiding clients through strategic giving approaches, including non-cash assets, that often intersect with business exits and M&A events. Known for building strong relationships across the Southeast, he brings a values-driven perspective to wealth, stewardship, and legacy planning. LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-mink/  IG: https://www.instagram.com/lewis_askey/ Jason Trent is the president of Highstreet Guidelight Insurance, founder of Guidelight Legacy Advisors, and host of The Guidelight Podcast. With over 25 years of experience in insurance and risk management, Jason is passionate about helping leaders build stronger businesses and enduring legacies. His mission is to merge faith, strategy, and innovation guiding teams to grow not just in profit, but in purpose. As a mentor and community advocate, he champions connection and clarity in an age of digital noise. Through his work and podcast, Jason inspires others to align their growth with values that truly matter.  Connect with Jason Trent: Website: https://www.hsip.com/agency-directory/guidelight-insurance   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-jason/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/guidelight-insurance/     Instagram:     X: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guidelight-insurance/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Guidelight/61575862355860/    Stay Connected. Stay Inspired. Let’s build deeper, stronger relationships—one meaningful connection at a time. 👉 Explore all things JTrent Connect: linktr.ee/JTrentConnect

About

The Guidelight — Hosted by Jason Trent The Guidelight is for leaders like you — business owners, presidents, and CEOs who’ve built something remarkable and are now asking, “What’s next?” Hosted by Jason Trent, each episode dives beyond the spreadsheets to explore what truly matters when selling, scaling, or reshaping your company — your people, your purpose, and your next chapter. You’ll hear real stories and expert insights from those who’ve stood where you are, uncovering how to protect what you’ve built while stepping confidently into the future with clarity and peace of mind. If your company’s EBITDA is between $2 and $10 million, this is your space to gain perspective that goes far beyond the deal. Because your next chapter matters just as much as the one you’ve built. 🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead with Light.