Voices From the Workplace: Selling Your Business with James Ruder (Guest Hosts: Jeff Haanen & Spencer Williams)
Release Date: 03/03/2025
The Faith & Work Podcast
Summary In this conversation, we get to hear from 2 people who have spent their career faithfully serving in public education. Irvin Scott emphasizes the critical role of teachers in society and the importance of showing appreciation for their hard work, and encourages listeners to reflect on their gratitude towards educators and highlights the challenges they face in their profession. And Jim McKenney shares some insights of his time in public education, how he has navigated the challenges faithfully with the Lord and with others. Wherever you’re listening—, ,...
info_outlineThe Faith & Work Podcast
Summary We are pleased to announce that The Faith & Work Podcast is the recent recipient of the for Best Podcast in the Education Category! Host Ross Chapman and Faith & Work Podcast Producer Naomi Hartman celebrate the many who have come before them to lay the groundwork for this honor, and celebrate how the Lord has blessed us in stewarding this medium! Enjoy a replay of the episode submitted for this award: You Are An Agent of Flourishing a special interview with Amy Sherman. In this conversation, Joanna Meyer and Amy Sherman discuss the importance of shalom,...
info_outlineThe Faith & Work Podcast
Summary In this episode of the Faith in Work podcast, artists Jake and Hannah Weidmann discuss how their work disciples them, how their work as artists has revealed to them different aspects of God and how their marriage has also shaped their art and business. The conversation emphasizes the importance of storytelling in art, the balance between craftsmanship and entrepreneurship, and the encouragement for others to embrace their creativity as a form of worship. Wherever you’re listening—, , or —subscribing, rating, and reviewing the show helps others discover what...
info_outlineThe Faith & Work Podcast
Summary In this episode of the Faith and Work Podcast, host Ross Chapman engages with TC Johnstone, an impact documentary filmmaker, to explore the intersection of faith, storytelling, and the arts. They discuss the importance of storytelling in various contexts, the role of curiosity and self-awareness in engaging with others, and the SPEAK framework for meaningful conversations. The conversation also touches on the influence of AI in the arts and offers encouragement for the church to embrace creativity and community. Wherever you’re listening—, ,...
info_outlineThe Faith & Work Podcast
Summary Exclusive sneak peak into our Women, Work, & Calling 2025 keynote speaker's talk: Reverend Dr. Nicole Massey-Martin COO at Christianity Today. Dr. Martin joins us today to discuss her journey as a leader, and calls us to to crucify our ministry idols and nail our outdated leadership practices to the cross. As she shares the inspiration for her new book, Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender, Dr. Martin emphasizes the need for cruciform leadership, which and highlights the vital role women play in leadership and the workplace. Nicole shares...
info_outlineThe Faith & Work Podcast
SUMMARY In this episode of the Faith and Work podcast, host Joanna Meyer engages with Tracey Gee, author and consultant, to explore the intricate relationship between purpose, desire, and calling. They discuss the challenges of discerning one's calling, especially in the context of faith, and how desire plays a crucial role in this process. Tracey shares her personal journey of navigating career transitions and the importance of recognizing and embracing one's desires. The conversation also touches on gender perspectives regarding desire, the consequences of ignoring it, and practical...
info_outlineThe Faith & Work Podcast
SUMMARY What do we do when God asks us to make business risks for His kingdom? This episode dives into the world of entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) with two incredible stories of how God leads ordinary people into extraordinary ventures. In the first half, we sit down with Matt Barnes, an ETA who acquired a laundry service, as he shares his story of how the Lord guided him into and through this journey of business ownership. In the second half, you'll hear a live recording from our annual Business for the Common Good event, where Denver Institute founder Jeff Haanen interviews...
info_outlineThe Faith & Work Podcast
Summary In this episode of the Faith and Work Podcast, we delve into the profound insights shared by Dr. Uli Chi at the Business for the Common Good annual event. As we navigate an era inundated with information and artificial intelligence, Dr. Chi challenges us to seek wisdom—a rare and invaluable asset. Through personal stories and biblical teachings, he explores the essence of wise leadership, emphasizing that wise leadership is human leadership. He also highlights the surprising spiritual discipline of sleep as essential for wise leaders. Join us as we...
info_outlineThe Faith & Work Podcast
SUMMARY In this episode of The Faith & Work Podcast, Ross Chapman is joined by Matt Randerson of Barna Group to offer a sneak preview of the Trends at Work data report set to be released soon. Drawing from this new research, Matt unpacks key themes—like influence, compassion, and change—that are reshaping workplace culture across the U.S. You’ll hear what the data reveals about employee well-being, faith integration, and what really drives retention and satisfaction at work. Whether you're leading a team or just starting out, this episode will challenge and equip you to shape...
info_outlineThe Faith & Work Podcast
SUMMARY In this episode of The Faith & Work Podcast, Ross Chapman welcomes Robin John, CEO of Eventide Asset Management, to discuss his new book The Good Investor: How Your Work Can Confront Injustice, Love Your Neighbor, and Bring Healing to the World. Robin shares how his personal journey—from growing up in India to working in finance—shaped his vision for investing that advances the common good. He offers a biblical framework for aligning your financial decisions with values that honor human dignity and promote justice. This conversation invites you to see investing not just...
info_outlineSUMMARY
Our guest today is James Ruder, former owner of L&R Pallet and current owner of FenceRight, who joins us to share his journey of faith and business transition interviewed by guest podcast hosts Spencer Williams and Jeff Haanen. After years of leading L&R Pallet and implementing transformative hiring practices, James made the difficult decision to sell the company in 2023. In this episode of the Faith & Work Podcast, we explore how selling a business impacts an owner personally, especially when guided by a Kingdom vision. Join us as James reflects on the challenges, emotions, and lessons he’s learned—and how his faith continues to shape his work today.
Do you like The Faith & Work Podcast? Be sure to subscribe! Now available on iTunes and Spotify.
HIGHLIGHTS
On Selling Your Business:
"It was like someone absolutely died. Here we are trying to make a good business decision the smart thing we’ve talked about, a financial move… it felt like your grandma just died and someone tells you congratulations."
On Kingdom-Minded Work:
"How am I going to use this resource that God’s given us to minister to the people who walk past my office door every day? He just showed us how the missions field can come to us, we don’t have to go to the missions field necessarily…" [Every day was an] “opportunity for impact, what are you going to do with the people that come through your doors?”
RESOURCES
- Download the episode transcript
- Check out more of the L&R Pallet Story here - FAITH & CO: In The People Business
- Get your tickets to Business for the Common Good before they run out!