The Mike Thakur Podcast

Mike Thakur

Real-time Kingdom conversation around People, Profit & Purpose. No boring bios. No humblebrag interviews. Just bold conversations about faith, entrepreneurship, generosity, leadership, and legacy… with real business owners who love Jesus and want their work to mean more. Got a question? Wrestling with a challenge? Bring it, and let’s talk about how we actually do Kingdom business today.

  1. The Biggest Lie Christian Entrepreneurs Believe w/ JT Tapias

    12/16/2025

    The Biggest Lie Christian Entrepreneurs Believe w/ JT Tapias

    In this episode, Mike Thakur sits down with entrepreneur and coach JT Tapias to unpack one of the most common and damaging misconceptions Christian entrepreneurs face: the idea that serving God means walking away from business. JT shares his remarkable journey—from growing up around organized crime, achieving success at a young age, and selling a thriving business because he believed God wanted him in “real ministry.” What followed was a season of confusion, loss, and ultimately deep clarity about how God actually works through business. This conversation speaks directly to faith-driven entrepreneurs wrestling with ambition, obedience, calling, and burnout—and why business is often not a distraction from God’s purpose, but the very place He intends to use you most. If you’ve ever questioned whether your work matters to God, this episode will bring both conviction and freedom. In This Episode: The biggest lie Christian entrepreneurs believe about ministryWhy quitting business for “full-time ministry” is often a mistakeJT’s decision to sell his business for $25K and what it taught himHow business can be a powerful mission fieldWhy burnout happens when work loses its sense of missionHow to serve God faithfully without leaving the marketplace Connect with JT Tapias: Instagram: @coachjt.tapias Program: Empty Your Bucket Nutrition Plan Website: https://eybplan.com Connect with Mike Thakur: Instagram: @realmikethakur Website: https://mikethakur.com

    52 min
  2. The 70/30 Rule: How The Church Can Disagree and Still Love

    12/02/2025

    The 70/30 Rule: How The Church Can Disagree and Still Love

    In today’s episode, Mike sits down with author and unity-builder Philip Ryle for a powerful conversation about what’s missing in the modern church—and what God is inviting us back into. Philip shares the heart behind his book Dear Unity, a collection of love letters calling believers, pastors, and entire denominations toward something deeper than agreement: authentic, sacrificial, relational unity. Together, Mike and Philip unpack the “70/30 Rule”—the idea that Christians have agreed on 70% of the faith for nearly 1,700 years… and maybe the remaining 30% is where God teaches us to love each other unconditionally. This isn’t just about denominations. It’s about you and me. Unity in our homes, workplaces, friendships, and churches—and why it matters more now than ever. If you’ve ever felt the tension between loving people and disagreeing with them, this episode will resonate deeply. 💬 In This Episode We Cover: Why God may have designed us to be incomplete without one anotherHow unity unlocks strategy, blessing, and spiritual multiplicationThe danger of rushing toward “agreement” instead of building relationshipWhy other global movements are winning at unity—and what Christians can learnThe role of humility, curiosity, and repentance in healing the Body of ChristHow to move the Church from deliberation to celebrationThe connection between the Trinity and the way humans are wired for communityWhy unity is the red carpet to global evangelizationHow everyday believers—not just leaders—can spark a unity movement 🔥 Why This Episode Matters We’re living in a world uniting around the wrong things while the Church remains divided over things that were never meant to define us. This conversation invites us to rethink what unity truly is—and how God might be calling us into something bigger, braver, and more beautiful. 📚 Connect with Philip Website: dearunity.com Instagram: @dearunity Email: philip@dearunity.com 🤝 Connect with Mike Instagram: @realmikethakur Website: mikethakur.com 🎧 If You Enjoyed This Episode… Share it with someone who cares about the future of the ChurchLeave a rating or review to help the message reach more leadersFollow the show for more conversations at the intersection of faith, leadership, and life

    35 min
  3. $0-30M By Hiring Ex-Convicts w/ Scott Gates

    10/07/2025

    $0-30M By Hiring Ex-Convicts w/ Scott Gates

    What happens when you build a business with mission before money? In this episode, Mike sits down with Scott Gates, co-founder and CEO of Awake Window & Door, to share how he grew a luxury window and door company from $0 to $30 million in sales—by hiring men and women that most businesses wouldn’t even consider: the formerly incarcerated. Scott reveals how God laid a mission on his heart, why he walked away from corporate success to start over, and the incredible impact of second-chance employment. From the struggles of leaving a comfortable CEO role, to the risks of starting a business built around ex-convicts, to the joy of watching lives redeemed through work and dignity—this story is proof that entrepreneurship can be one of the most powerful tools for Kingdom impact. If you’ve ever wondered how faith and business can collide to change lives, this episode will challenge you to rethink what success really means. 🔑 Key Topics Why Scott left a thriving corporate career to start over from scratch How a $30M business was built by giving second chances The connection between foster care, prison, and broken systems Why soup kitchens and handouts aren’t enough—and why sustainable work is the answer How mission-driven businesses attract the best talent Why the marketplace—not just the church—is the greatest place for ministry 📲 Connect with Mike Thakur Instagram: @realmikethakur Website: MikeThakur.com 📲 Connect with Scott Gates Website: awakewdc.com Instagram: @awakewdc

    42 min
  4. Why 98% Of People Think They're Bad At Prayer w/ Addison Bevere

    09/23/2025

    Why 98% Of People Think They're Bad At Prayer w/ Addison Bevere

    Why do 98% of people believe they’re “bad at prayer”? In this powerful episode of The Mike Thakur Podcast, Mike sits down with author and leader Addison Bevere (Words with God) to unpack one of the most misunderstood parts of faith: prayer. Most of us think prayer is about the “right words” or a rigid routine — but Addison reveals a deeper truth: prayer is constant conversation, connection, and even rest. From the science of your brainwaves in the morning to the spiritual practices that unlock intimacy with God, this episode will challenge how you view prayer forever. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or simply someone who’s felt like you “don’t pray enough,” you’ll discover: Why almost everyone feels inadequate at prayer — and why that’s a lieThe secret power of mornings and what happens in your brain while you sleepHow prayer is more about posture and presence than performanceWhy obedience and faith can’t be separated — and what that means for decision-makingPractical steps to invite God into your everyday life and leadership Addison also shares personal stories, insights from Words with God, and a fresh framework for what it means to “pray without ceasing.” If prayer has ever felt confusing, boring, or overwhelming — this conversation will help you rediscover it as the life-giving dialogue it was always meant to be. 🔗 Resources & Links From Addison Bevere: 📖 Words with God → Check it out here🌐 Learn more at RediscoverPrayer.com✨ Messenger International → MessengerX.comFrom Mike Thakur: 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: The Mike Thakur Podcast🎙️ Follow Mike on Instagram: @realmikethakur💼 Join Mike's Franklin Meet-Up! mikethakur.com/kix📚 Check out Mike’s book MikeDrop: MikeDropBook.com 👍 Like this episode? If you enjoyed this conversation, please: Share it with a friendLeave a review on Spotify or Apple PodcastsSubscribe so you never miss an episode

    54 min
  5. The Spiritual Battle We Can No Longer Ignore

    09/16/2025

    The Spiritual Battle We Can No Longer Ignore

    *** Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Charlie's family, both at Turning Point USA and at home, where Erika and their children are navigating a new reality after the events of last week. *** In this special episode of The Mike Thakur Podcast, Mike steps away from business as usual to reflect on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it means for Christians, culture, and the future of our faith. The loss of Charlie Kirk has left many people feeling a deep heaviness—something more than grief, something deeper, something spiritual. Mike unpacks why this moment matters and how it calls us back to the basics of faith: standing for truth, living with courage, and bringing light into the darkness. Together we wrestle with: ✅ Why so many feel shaken by Charlie’s death and what’s happening in the spiritual realm ✅ The difference between compromise and conviction in today’s culture ✅ Why “gray” Christianity can’t overcome darkness ✅ How Scripture gives us black-and-white clarity in a world of confusion ✅ The call to live as serious, intentional disciples of Jesus ✅ Fundamental truths we must reclaim—marriage, family, life, and God’s design This isn't only about remembering Charlie—it’s about heeding the wake-up call for believers everywhere. Now's the time to decide: will we be lukewarm, or will we be bold in our faith? 📖 Key Scriptures: John 1, 1 John 1:5, Revelation, Matthew 25 📌 Watch More Podcast Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@mikethakurpodcast/videos 🌍 Stay Connected with Mike 🔔 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@mikethakur 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmikethakur/ 📘 Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/realmikethakur/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikethakur 🌐 Website: https://mikethakur.com/ ✨ Keywords Covered: Charlie Kirk assassination, faith in America, courage and faith, light vs darkness, Christian leadership, standing for truth, biblical worldview, The Mike Thakur Podcast, purpose and faith, compromise vs conviction, end times signs ✍️ Let’s Talk: How has this moment impacted your faith? Do you feel the urgency to stand for truth in today’s culture? Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇 #TheMikeThakurPodcast #CharlieKirk #FaithAndCourage #StandForTruth #LightVsDarkness #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalWorldview #KingdomFirst

    16 min
4.9
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

Real-time Kingdom conversation around People, Profit & Purpose. No boring bios. No humblebrag interviews. Just bold conversations about faith, entrepreneurship, generosity, leadership, and legacy… with real business owners who love Jesus and want their work to mean more. Got a question? Wrestling with a challenge? Bring it, and let’s talk about how we actually do Kingdom business today.